Ayurvedic PG Doctors Allowed to Perform Select Surgeries in Andhra Pradesh
The Andhra Pradesh government took this decision to integrate the ancient Indian medical system with the modern medical system.
Vijayawada: In a significant move aimed at integrating traditional and modern systems of medicine, Andhra Pradesh would allow trained postgraduate Ayurvedic doctors to independently undertake select surgical procedures.
Stating this here on Wednesday, health minister Satya Kumar Yadav said the decision is in line with the guidelines of the Indian Medicine Central Council (2020) and the National Commission for Indian Systems of Medicine. The approval applies strictly to postgraduate Ayurvedic doctors who have received proper surgical training.
The minister explained, “From now on, eligible Ayurvedic practitioners will be permitted to perform 39 per cent of general surgical procedures and 19 per cent of ENT and ophthalmological treatments. These include procedures such as treating contagious diseases, stitching wounds, managing piles and fissures and undertaking skin grafting, among others.”
Satya Kumar said the move is intended to strengthen healthcare delivery by effectively integrating the ancient Indian system of medicine with contemporary medical practices, while ensuring patient safety and adherence to prescribed norms.
He held discussions with Ayush department director K. Dinesh and senior officials to chart out the next course of action. During the review, officials informed the minister that Andhra Pradesh currently has two private Ayurveda colleges, in addition to the Dr NRS Government Ayurvedic College in Vijayawada.
The health minister directed officials to immediately introduce postgraduate courses at the government Ayurveda college and ensure high standards of education. He also asked them to provide necessary infrastructure, including operation theatres, surgical instruments and related facilities to support advanced training and safe surgical practices.
Notably, when the new guidelines were introduced by the central government in 2020 to allow Ayurvedic postgraduates to independently receive training in select procedures, modern medicine practitioners opposed the move. The Union government stood its ground and stressed that this was necessary to provide basic medical facilities to the rural population, as there existed a shortage of healthcare professionals.
