Career options in Indian medicine
Ranjan K Baruah *
Many students and in fact parents of many students wants their sons or daughter to become doctors in life. Whenever we talk about doctors the first thing that comes to our mind is MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) doctors.
In spite of preparing for different medical entrances many students fail to crack entrance and get admitted into medical colleges. Some people may afford the fee of private colleges but poor people can’t think of the same easily. Like MBBS doctors there are traditional Indian Medicine system which includes Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, etc.
There would be demand in traditional medicine as they have less side effect. People are becoming more aware on health and lifestyle which would increase the demand of Indian medicinal system. Students may try to join courses related to these systems and make their future bright. Following are the Indian Medicine -
Ayurveda: Ayurveda means “the science of life” (ayur means “life” and veda means “science” in Sanskrit). Ayurveda is a discipline of the upaveda or “auxiliary knowledge” in Vedic tradition. Ayurveda has its prime origin from Atharva-Veda and apart as a supplement of the Rig-Veda. Dhanvantari is worshipped as the God of Ayurveda. The aim of this system is to prevent illness, heal the sick and preserve life. The Ayurveda has its origins from the India and extended its wings in various parts of the world.
Unani : Unani-tibb or Unani Medicine also spelled Yunani Medicine (Arabic, Hindustani, Pashto and Persian) is a form of traditional medicine practiced in middle-east & south-Asian countries. It refers to a tradition of Graeco-Arabic medicine, which is based on the teachings of Greek physician Hippocrates and Roman physician Galen, and developed into an elaborate medical system in middle age era by Arabian and Persian physicians, such as Rhazes (al-Razi), Avicenna (Ibn Sena), Al-Zahrawi, and Ibn Nafis. Unani medicine first arrived in India around 12th or 13th century. The Unani System of Medicine is included in the Central Council of Indian Medicine as per IMCC, Act 1970.
Siddha : “Siddhargal” or Siddhars were the premier scientists of ancient days. Siddhars, mainly from Southern India, in the state of Tamil Nadu laid the foundation for Siddha system of medicine. Siddhars were spiritual adepts who possessed the ashta siddhis.
Sowa Rigpa : It is a centuries-old traditional medical system that employs a complex approach to diagnosis, incorporating techniques such as pulse analysis and urinalysis, and utilizes behaviour and dietary modification, medicines composed of natural materials (e.g., herbs and minerals) and physical therapies to treat illness. The Sowa Rigpa System of Medicine is included in the Central Council of Indian Medicine from the year 2012 as per Gazette Notification No. 2345 dated 16.12.2011.
Central Council of Indian Medicine: The Central Council of Indian Medicine is the statutory body constituted under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970 vide gazette notification extraordinary part (ii) section 3(ii) dated 10.8.71. Since its establishment in 1971, the Central Council has been framing on and implementing various regulations including the Curricula and Syllabii in Indian Systems of Medicine viz. Ayurved, Siddha and Unani Tibb at Under-graduate and Post-graduate level.
Now, all the Colleges of Indian Systems of Medicine are affiliated to various Universities in the Country. These Colleges are following the minimum standards of education and Curricula and Syllabii, prescribed by Central Council. We shall more about this in our forthcoming editions.
* Ranjan K Baruah wrote this article for The Sangai Express
The writer can be reached at bkranjan(aT)gmail(doT)com
This article was posted on September 15, 2015.
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