AYUSH to be an Elective Subject in MBBS Curriculum: MCI BoG Chairman

New Delhi: Moving towards an integrated system of medicine with benefits of both Allopathy and Indian Systems of Medicine in the country, the Board of Governors at Medical Council of India (MCI BoG) has decided to add a subject of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) system as a part of MBBS curriculum. The subject will be an elective one as per recent media reports.

In confirmation to the same, a top functionary of the MCI BoG informed HT, "Under-Graduate (UG) medical students will be given the option of choosing AYUSH systems as an elective subject from the 2019-20 academic year."

Since it is often seen that practitioners of modern medicine do not have much faith on AYUSH system and often question their credibility and scientific validation; this initiative is aimed at introducing future doctors to alternative systems of medicine.

In May last year, Medical Dialogues had reported about the strong recommendation made by the parliamentary panel to the Ministry on taking steps in introducing modules of the modern system of medicine in the curriculum and pursue the Health and Family care Ministry for introducing similar modules of AYUSH systems in their MBBS course.

The committee has stated that such an integrated approach towards both systems of medicine would help in understanding the strengths of each system of medicine and also increase the credibility of AYUSH approach.

The curricula of both modern systems of medicine and AYUSH system need to be changed in such a way to strive for integration in the study of medical education itself followed by cross system referals and integrated healthcare services, said a Parliamentary Standing Committee report on Health and Family Healthcare.

Read Also: Modern Medicine Should be Made part of AYUSH Curriculum and Vice- Versa: Parliamentary panel

Now, speaking about the inclusion of AYUSH in MBBS syllabus to HT, Dr V K Paul, Chairman, BoG stated, "It is to give a hang of the alternative systems of medicine to the students of allopathy. AYUSH systems can play a great role in promoting preventive health. However, it will not be mandatory for medical students."

"The students will get to visit AYUSH hospitals, attend outpatient departments (OPDs), etc," he added.

However, it will not be compulsory for all medical students. The added module on AYUSH will serve as an option for MBBS students.

The new syllabus received final approval from the BoG last month and will be implemented from August when the new academic session of 2019-20 will begin. The 3-month module will be designed by AYUSH Ministry, adds the daily.

Read Also: Soon, Ayurveda, Yoga may come as elective courses at AIIMS