Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has strongly condemned the state government's decision to permit trained Ayurvedic doctors to perform surgeries independently. Terming the move "misleading and unscientific," the medical body warned that such policy shifts could compromise patient safety.
The controversy stems from an announcement made earlier this week by Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, Satya Kumar Yadav. On December 23, the Minister gave his approval for Ayurvedic practitioners who have completed post-graduate courses in surgical studies to perform select surgeries. He described the move as a step toward integrating traditional Indian medicine with modern treatment methods.
In a strongly worded press note, the IMA argued that surgical procedures demand structured, supervised, and extensive training that is exclusively imparted through the MBBS, MS (Master of Surgery), and MCh (Magister Chirurgiae) curricula governed by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The association emphasized that surgery is not merely a technical skill but a complex discipline requiring in-depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, perioperative critical care, and anesthesia, training that is standardized only within modern medicine.
The IMA members further cautioned that "cross-practice" without equivalent training and accreditation is neither evidence-based nor ethically justified. They pointed out that the specific issue of permitting practitioners of Indian medicine to perform surgeries is currently sub judice before the Supreme Court. The case, filed in 2020, is listed for a hearing on January 8, 2026.
The association stated that any policy decisions made while the matter is pending in court are legally untenable and amount to prejudging a matter under judicial consideration. The IMA has requested the Minister to withdraw his statements and refrain from implementing policy commitments that may violate existing laws. They warned that if the issue is not addressed immediately, the medical fraternity would be forced to pursue democratic and legal remedies at both the state and national levels.