Quacks flourishing in Ayurveda

Quacks flourishing in Ayurveda !

Khandaani Dawakhana. Practicing Ayurvedic medicine in open tent by unqualified quacks!!!

India has a great legacy of knowledge since the time immortal. Whether it’s Science or Mathematics or Geometry or Astrology, Ancient Indian scientists have gifted a rich ocean of knowledge to the world which has become a stepping stone for the further researches and developments and immensely helped the mankind in civilization and social and technological development.

Ayurveda, the oldest form of Medical science, has been originated, flourished and grown further in ancient India. It is said that Lord Bhrama (The creater of the life according to Hindu mythology) has recalled Ayurveda and passed the knowledge on the earth for elimination of diseases and sufferings of people.  But after the invasion of Mughals and thereafter British, who brought the Western Medicine or Allopathy, the propagation and social status of Ayurveda declined mainly because of ignorance by the governments. But Ayurveda still maintained its existence by many traditional Vaidyas and their next generations and many people and leaders like Gandhiji loved it.

India became independent in 1947. It was felt the need of hour to give Ayurveda its previous honour. So, many steps were taken to develop Ayurveda therapies and to propagate them for maintaining the health and curing the diseases of people. Many institutions opened, Ayurveda courses like Bachlor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS), and PG courses like MD/MS (AY) have been started standardized, Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) were formed and many other such steps of improvements were taken by the government.

But unfortunately this science has been defamed and exploited by many unqualified people, who at many times are illiterate but they flourish and pretend to be Doctors or ‘Vaidyas’ (Physicians)  and misguide the people by prefixing ‘Dr.’ or ‘Vaidya’ before their names and suffixing the degrees like BAMS or MD at their clinic/dispenseries’ sign board. They are found everywhere in India, running their clinics in big cities like Delhi, Mumbai etc. as well as in villages and small towns and even many times at roads by the name ‘khandaani dawakhaana’ and earning lacs of money by cheating the people.

In my opinion the most probable reasons for flourishing of such quacks are;

• Lack of going towards Ayurveda practice in qualified BAMS doctors due to their natural inclination towards western medicine (Allopath) and insufficient knowledge of Ayurveda which itself is due to lack of quality education in Ayurveda institutions. This ultimately lowers the confidence of a fresh graduate to start Ayurveda practice.
• The government’s inability to stop such practitioners due to corruption in the system.
• Lack of adequate knowledge and awareness among the people (common men) – I have seen that many people don’t know that what is the qualification/degree of a registered Ayurveda Physician? The degree of BAMS has a social status inferior to their allopathic counterpart i.e. MBBS though the Government has given equal status to both courses.

The possible solutions:

• There must be improvement in our education system
• Senior qualified practitioners should encourage young graduates to start practising in Ayurveda, they should share their knowledge and experiences.
• Ayurveda people have to create their demand within the society. This is possible when people of all classes of society should be provided direct health benefits in a convenient and cost-effective manner.
• Ayurveda doctors and government should create awareness among the public regarding the importance of getting treatment by a qualified doctor.
• Government must have to be strict in inhibiting unqualified medical practitioners. Strong punishment should be given after arresting them.
• Responsibilities of CCIM should be more clearly defined.
• Strict action against corrupt officials and employees must be taken.
•  Use of tools like RTI effectively by various organizations of Ayurveda doctors and at individual level too and maintaining the data properly.

Thus India can be free from such unqualified practitioners and quacks, at least partially, if not fully; all we have to do is to become a little aware and make the people around us aware and act in a positive way. Jai Ayurveda !

AUTHOR: DR. NAVEEN CHAUHAN,

Consultant Ayurveda Physician & Proctologist,

 SHRI DHANWANTARI CLINIC, Ghaziabad, India.

If you have any query, you may post your comment or e-mail the author at: consult@ayurvedapilescure.com

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