AYUSH and Ayurveda: The Business of Traditional Medicine
Training, Doctors and Colleges
Ayurveda and other AYUSH practitioners study in recognised colleges, and the profession is regulated by a national commission.
AYUSH practitioners are trained in recognised degree programmes.
Degrees
Ayurveda is taught in a degree called BAMS, and homoeopathy in BHMS; both take several years including an internship.
Regulation
Bodies set standards, and a national commission for Indian systems of medicine began work in 2020.
Numbers
India has lakhs of registered AYUSH practitioners, many working in rural areas where modern doctors are few.
Debates
Whether AYUSH doctors may practise modern medicine in certain situations remains contested.
In a small town without an MBBS doctor, a BAMS graduate may be the nearest trained practitioner.
Many hold recognised degrees.
- BAMS and BHMS are recognised degrees.
- A national commission regulates Indian medicine.
- Practitioners fill rural gaps.
- Scope of practice is debated.
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