Ayurveda students can undertake allopathy internships: High Court

The order allows certain ISM students to pursue internship/observership in gynaecology departments.

Kochi: The division bench of the Kerala High court has refused to interfere with state government order granting permission to BAMS, BHMS and BSMS house-surgency students to do internship in in government hospitals. The order in particular dealt with the gynaecology internship/observership to be done by these students as a part of their curriculum.

The Bench passed the order in a dismissal of appeal case filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), State branch, against the single judge’s order.

Outraged at the CCIM order that called for gynaecology internship for students of alternate medicine at the government hospitals, allopaths under the umbrella of Indian Medical Association had knocked on the court's doors.

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According to the Central Council of Indian Medicine notification, issued in April 25, 2012, a six month training has to be undergone by the students. The notification makes clear that in respect to Prasuti and Stri roga subjects related to gynecology, the intern is supposed to be trained to deal with antenatal and post-natal problems and their remedies , management of normal and abnormal labour, minor, major obstetric surgical procedures and antenatal and post-natal care .

Opposing the same, the Indian Medical Association(IMA), in its petition had contended that training being imparted to the students of ayurveda and homeopathy in the field of gynecology was improper, as subjects being pursued by them had nothing to do with gynaecology. Their petition further added, allowing BAMS, BHMS and BSMS house surgeons into labour rooms meant transmission of disease and contagious infection.

The court however, refused to intervene saying as experts had laid the guideline while issuing the notification, the court could not sit as an appellate authority on it. The apex body was of the prima facie opinion that elementary knowledge of gynecology was essential for those pursuing BAMS, BHMS and BSMS degrees.