Friction continues between Ayur and modern medicine Doctors over training

The friction between doctors of Ayurveda and Modern Medicine over training of Ayurveda doctors in modern medicine has escalated with the Ayurveda doctors approaching the High Court against keeping in abeyance the government's earlier order of allowing them to undergo training in modern medicine at government hospitals.

Even as the Ayurveda practitioners claim that the training was only meant to impart a comprehensive knowledge about the whole health system, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which is all out against it, said that such an exercise will not do any good for the people. The Ayurveda doctors under the aegis of Ayurveda Medical Association of India (AMAI) on Saturday filed a petition before the High Court on Saturday.

AMAI General secretary Dr Rejith Anand said that it was unfortunate that the government had frozen its earlier order of allowing Ayur doctors to train in modern medicine just at the behest of a memorandum from the IMA. ''It is just one month training as part of a national policy and for observing the complications that could arise during a surgery or labour,'' he said.

Lashing out against IMA, Anand alleged that all these protest were only part of industrialisation of the health sector and the protest is only from a section of doctors who see health as a business. The same sentiment was shared by Private Ayurveda Medical Practitioners Association (PAMPA), which said that the BAMS students had all the right to get training as per the syllabus. PAMPA president Dr K Gopalakrishnan said that the syllabus of BAMS students was drawn in such a way that the students get knowledge of anatomy, physiology, medical jurisprudence, pathology, obstetrics and gynecology.

Meanwhile IMA state president Dr Sreejith N Kumar said that they had approached the government against the order pointing out that it violated the spirit of the Medical Council of India guidelines. ''The MCI, which is the highest authority of Modern Medicine, has in 2007 itself given strict directive that modern medicine people can only be trained in modern medicine institutions. And if this was violated, strict action could be taken,'' he said.

Source: The New Indian express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/492355/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/04-05-2015#page/4/1

Hospitals to find hard to deal with ''ghost faculty'' with RFID coming

With the Medical Council of India stressing on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system to track the teaching staff, the medical colleges both in the government as well as private sector will find it hard to recruit ''ghost faculty'' (who actually do not exist and remain on paper only) for a day at the time of annual inspections. Many of the colleges resort to such practice so that they get approvals from MCI for increasing the number of seats.

Various Medical organisations such as the Indian Medical Association and the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA) have welcomed the move to introduce biometric scanners. However, they also opined that apart from the new systems that the MCI is introducing, an overall revamp of the medical education system is the need of the hour.

The MCI has given instructions to all Medical colleges to immediately set up the RFID system. Through the system, The details of the attendance of doctors can be monitored even from Delhi, which will help in ensuring that that no impersonation is taking place during routine inspections.

The new instructions gain significance in the wake of concerns raised among the medical fraternity with respect to the redeployment of doctors to the two new medical colleges at Idukki and Manjeri.

Indian Medical Association national president A Marthanda Pillai said that IMA supported the move to make the system fool proof but this only cannot bring in any comprehensive change in the whole system. ''We have to see how far the system is going to be effective, he said but cautioned that problems could also crop up if more stringent measures are brought in.

Source: The new Indian express 

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/478558/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/13-04-2015#page/1/1

IMA comes out with food policy document

Noting that scant attention is being paid to food safety in general and child nutrition in particular, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for reversing this alarming situation and suggested that good quality and affordability are the key requirements to an ideal food culture. The IMA, Kerala Chapter made the observation in its Food Policy Document 2015 that will be released by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Health Minister V S Sivakumar on World Health Day, which falls on Tuesday.

The IMA has come out with a food policy document with the theme of World Health Day 2015 being 'food safety'. In its in its guidelines on Safe and Healthy Food, the IMA said that every one including the authorities, organisations and citizens have to be aware about safe and healthy food and that it should never be a reason for disease.

The IMA under 27 different heads has highlighted the importance of taking a wholesome food that provide adequate calories and nutrients. It stresses that good quality and affordability are the key requirements to an ideal food culture.

Source: The Newindian express 

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/474173/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/07-04-2015#page/17/1

IMA Plans big on Organ Donation

With lack of awareness among the people on organ donation and a significant number of patients awaiting transplantation, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Kerala Chapter, has stepped in to find donors for these patients with its various awareness campaigns across the state.

''The IMA has stepped in to help the patients find altruistic donors in accordance with its motto of the year “For the profession, for the people”. We aim at spreading awareness on brain death, voluntary organ donation and transplantation of various organs,'' said IMA Committee for Organ Donation state convenor Dr S Vasudevan.

With a number of voluntary organisations coming forward to join the IMA's initiative, he said that the association will be acting as an umbrella organisation. ''The Society for Organ Retrieval & Transplantation and others have come forward to associate with us,'' he said and added that it would give accelerate the efforts.

Vasudevan also said that a a registry with details of all those wiling to donate organs will be created. ''The association will accept consent forms from people who are willing to donate organs. They would be given donor cards and certificates and a registry will then be created. The first voluntary consent was given by Chairman of the Committee Dr Vinay Ranjan,'' he said.

Further, he said that the Association will reach the common man at various levels through its public meetings, workshops, awareness classes and other programmes. The association will be conducting various awareness programmes at educational institutions, residential colonies and other public places.

Source: The Newindian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/474173/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/07-04-2015#page/2/1

Govt overlooking merit in appointments to DME

In the wake of the increasing number of Medical Colleges in the state, the appointment to the post of Director of Medical Education (DME) has raised serious concern with allegations that people without necessary qualifications are being tipped for the post.

Despite people having more experience in teaching and clinical care, administrative experience, management qualification and research papers, it is alleged that the government is considering those who have no such experience, which is alleged to be out of political and other pressures.

Stating that merit was never considered for appointments, Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA) secretary Dr C P Vijayan stressed that qualified academicians should only be made DMEs as they can only only bring in novel ideas for developing the medical education sector, which is already said to be deteriorating in the state.

It is reliably known that Kottayam Principal Dr A Remla Beevi and Cochin Medical College Principal Dr Praveen Lal have been considered for the post by the Departmental Promotion committee. It is learned that the government is considering Dr Beevi to the post as the other one is about to retire in a few months.

Generally seniority of principals are taken when making appointments for the post. Even if this criteria is considered, the sources said that there are several others who are more senior than the two who are now being considered. It is also alleged that Kottayam Principal does not have published papers and also falls short of the required 10 years of teaching experience. According to the Medical Council of India norms, ten years of teaching experience and ten published papers are needed for becoming principal or to get appointed to key posts, which are violated here.

Source: The newindian express 

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/459104/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/16-03-2015#page/5/1

Knives out over Surgery training to Ayur Drs

The question of allowing Ayurveda doctors to undergo training in modern medicine such as surgery and Labour, and allowing them to prescribe certain modern medicines has now created a drift between the two systems of medicines. While Allopathy doctors state that the move would only create semi qualified doctors, the Ayurveda Doctors said that the training was only meant to impart a comprehensive knowledge about the whole health system.

Though the government wants Ayurveda and Allopathy systems of medicines to join hands, the Allopathy doctors maintain that it would only create anarchy in the state. When the Ayurveda Medical Association of India (AMAI) states that training was imparted as part of a national policy, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) said that there was no such policy and it would only lead to a rivalry between the two systems of medicine.

Stating that the move was a violation of Medical Council of India’s guidelines that only those who are going to prrcatise modern medicine should be trained in modern medicine, IMA, Kerala Chapter, president Dr Sreejith N Kumar said ''Ayruveda doctors say that they want to observe autopsy, labour and surgery. But our question is why do they want to observe? Surgery, Labour and autopsy are not exhibitions for any one to observe. And any one who observes such things should have a definite purpose.''

Meanwhile, AMAI General secretary Dr Rejith Anand said that it was just one month training that was being given and was only meant for observing the complications that could arise during a surgery or labour. ''We do not know if any harm would come if Ayurveda doctors and students are given one month training or if they observe surgery, labour or autopsy. Just like Allopathy doctors, Ayurveda doctors also study anatomy and physiology,'' he said.

However, Kumar said ''one does not decide if a patient should be given Ayurveda or Allopathy treatment after seeing surgery or labour. If Any Ayurveda doctor wants to practise modern medicine, let him complete MBBS, which is the basic qualification for practising modern medicine.''

Noting that lot of allegations have come out against alternative practitioners, he said that a state like Kerala did not need such practioners. ''There are lots of modern practioners who can prescribe modern medicine,'' he said. Moreover, he also questioned the rational behind incorporating modern medicine in Ayurveda Syllabus.

Source: The newindian express 

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/445068/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/23-02-2015#page/4/1

No need for more Medical Colleges in Kerala: IMA

At a time when the state government has embarked on a mission to set up medical colleges in all the districts, the Indian Medical Association, which is the largest group of medical professionals, has affirmed that there was no need for new medical colleges in the public as well as private sector and that the Non Objection Certificates for starting new colleges should be immediately withdrawn. 

The IMA has called for a detailed study by the government to see if there was a need for another medical college. The new revelations have been concluded in the preliminary report of the IMA on medical education sector in the state. ''The preliminary report of the Committee on Medical Education has been submitted and we would come out with a detailed report in the coming days,'' IMA state president Sreejith N Kumar said. 

Noting that a need based assessment should be done, he said that the government has to think of improving the treatment facility rather than setting up medical colleges. 

Committee Convenor and Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association state president Dr K Mohanan said ''we have stated that there was no need for any medical college in the public as well as private sector till the available resources are utilised for the upgradation of the existing medical colleges. Apart from this, we also demand that the NOC given for setting up new medical colleges should be withdrawn.''

Mohanan said that most of the private medical colleges do not have the necessary infrastructure and adequate staff. These colleges situated in remote regions with only a few patients normally import patients during times of MCI inspection. Moreover, there are no permanent teachers and most of them work on daily wages and are paraded during the time of MCI inspection for getting recognition. ''All these show where the medical education system in the state is heading for,'' he said.

The IMA also recommends developing district and taluk hospitals instead of pumping in money for the medical colleges. ''If the government wants to provide the best treatment facility, it should not think of Medical colleges but should have to concentrate in augmenting the facilities at the primary level of treatment,'' the convenor said. The Association also calls for upgrading the district hospitals to super specialty hospitals and for development specialty care in the block level.

Coordinator Dr Vasudevan said that there was no deficiency of undergraduates in the state and the need of the hour is more specialisation. ''The focus should be on improving whatever we have and develop at least some of the centres as excellence of treatment units,'' he said. Vasudevan also said that the committee will be holding meetings in different parts of the state before the report is finalised.

source: The Newindian express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/405614/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/29-12-2014#page/3/1

Public Health initiatve; IMA to adopt 100 villages

Thousands of doctors across the state will move to the villages in the next one year, giving fresh impetus to public health and community based programmes for building a healthy Kerala. The doctors under the banner of Indian Medical Association (IMA), which is adopting 100 villages, will focus more on lifestyle diseases and health awareness.

With the adoption of 100 villages in the state, the IMA, Kerala, is gearing up for new initiatives in public health sector and community based programmes, according to IMA state president Sreejth N Kumar. ''We have envisaged a programme – Arogyamaithri --under which 100 villages are being adopted. The focus will be on life style diseases, especially cardiovascular  
problems. Under the adoption programme, the focus will be on tobacco/blood pressure control, which is a major threat in all cardiovascular problems. We would give importance to awareness, detection and treatment of cardiovascular diseases through Arogyamaithri,'' he said.  Moreover, 

cancer screening and its awareness, which is already part of IMA's programme, will continue, he added.

As a first step, medical camps and health awareness programmes will be conducted at these villages. The IMA branches, which comes to 103, will be focussing on each village that comes under its jurisdiction, Sreejith said. 

Talking to Express, IMA Public Health Assurance Committee convenor Dr A Althaf said that the focus of Arogyamathri will be identification of health problems of the locality, health check ups and awareness campaigns. With life style diseases showing an alarming rise in the state, the adoption programme will focus on creating awareness, screening and treatment

Pointing out that the Association had about 27,000 members, he said ''all the active members, including specialty doctors, will participate in the Arogyamaithri programme. Though life style diseases, especially cancer, will be taken up initially, we would be focussing on the requirement of an area.'' He also mentioned that there would be active participation of experts, ward members, local MLA, local politicians and others in the programme. Noting that IMA had earlier also addressed public health issues, he said that it was for the first time that the Association was taking such an initiative related to public health in village level. 

Source The New Indian Express 

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/400765/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/22-12-2014#page/5/1

Massive Failure of Medicos in Kerala Raises Concern

The massive failure of medical students in the state, particularly in the private medical colleges, has raised serious concern among the medical fraternity, who point out quality erosion in the medical education sector, including shortage of faculty and lack of infrastructure for the failure.

With the results out for the first year MBBS, a majority of the self financing and private colleges showed a poor performance than the government medical colleges. As per the results, some colleges had 90 per cent failure and in total more than 30 per cent of the students have failed.

''The failure only shows that the medical education sector is distorted,'' said Dr B Eqbal, former Vice-chancellor of Kerala University and a public health activist. The Kerala University of Health Sciences should have to reassess the affiliation given to the medical colleges that has come out with such poor result.

It is alleged that the quality of medical education has come down with the uncontrolled proliferation of medical colleges in the state. There are not enough qualified faculty and also proper infrastructure for ensuring that the students are given the best education, it is alleged. It is also said that the faculty at the institutions are not given proper training.

Indian Medical Association (IMA) president Sreejith N Kumar said that the results were of serious concern and all the aspects that led to the failure should be analysed. ''The absence of dedicated faculty and lack of infrastructure are some of the reasons that the IMA sees as a cause,'' he said. Most of the medical colleges engage faculty during the time of MCI inspection, which has to be strictly monitored, he said. Kumar noted that a detailed analysis of the student intake was also needed. Noting that the KUHS also had a major role in ensuring quality of education, he said '' apart from the MCI inspections, the KUHS should also conduct random checks and ensure that a system is in place for improving quality of medical education.

source The Newindian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/398000/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/18-12-2014#page/6/1

Kerala's moves for a Public Health Agency criticised

The government's move to establish a Public Health Protection Agency has evoked criticism from the medical Fraternity, which maintains that it will not be a substitute to Public Health Cadre and Public Health Department envisaged in the National Health Policy, which has been adopted by several states.

With the emerging/reemerging of many diseases and health indices pointing out that Kerala has not made any advancements for the last ten years, many of the doctors and health experts were for creating a separate Public health cadre and public health department. The government has mooted the Agency to guide the Health Department for improving and protecting public health, mainly focusing on prevention. But experts point out it will be a futile exercise and will not have any major impact.

While mooting the Agency, the government had pointed out that Public Health did not pertain to health department alone but involved the active involvement of other departments like water resources, social welfare, education and LSGD. As such a separate Agency will help in coordinating the works related to public health. Though the experts agree that coordination of departments was needed, they said that an Agency or any coordination unit/agency will not be a substitute to Public Health Department and Public Health Cadre. Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Orissa and Gujarat have already established public Health Departments.

Agreeing that inter departmental coordination is needed for improvement of public health, Indian Medical Association, Kerala, president Sreejith N Kumar said ''Coordination can be called by any name like Public Health Protection Agency or some other name. But an exclusive department for public health is inevitable in the raising threat of emerging/reemerging of many diseases.''

Source: The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/376154/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/17-11-2014#page/6/1

laproscopic Sterlisation: Docs denied medico-legal support

Doctors in the government sector performing laproscopic sterilisation are a worried lot with the government not providing medico-legal support if and when the persons subject to such surgery approach the court. Once the doctors face court cases, they only get support from the Professional Protection Scheme of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and that too only provided to life term members.

Noting that failures can happen in some persons who undergo laproscopic sterlisation, the doctors said that they were not getting the due support in most of the cases. IMA state secretary Dr A V Jayakrishnan said ''The doctors now perform laproscopic sterlisation at their own risk. They face mental trauma and physical strain when fighting the case individually at a time the sterilisation is being done as part of a national programme,'' he said.

Moreover, people file cases even after signing the approval letter that clearly states that they would avail the insurance amount as part of the national programme if there is a failure. Most of the people are said to file cases if they get a girl child after the sterlisation failure. If its a boy child, no cases are generally filed, the doctors said. Another thing pointed out is that the people who undergo sterilisation are asked to approach the doctor in case of any failure. But in most cases, they do not turn up but only approach the court.

Stating that fighting cases without any support was difficult most of the time, Dr Maya of the Women and Child Hospital, Thycaud, said '' it is really hard for fighting the case all alone. The only support that we get is from the IMA and that too only if a doctor is a life term member.''

source: The New Indian express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/326824/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/26-08-2014#page/6/1