Centres balm for acupuncture

Hyderabad: Good days are ahead for acupuncture as the Union government has recognised it as an independent system of healthcare. It is a demand that is being pursued for the last 25 years or so. Practising doctors and therapists feel this a boon for medical fraternity. The low-cost therapy, it is felt, will go a long way in helping the people.The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued an order on February 21 awarding recognition to acupuncture as a system of healthcare/therapy.

Further, it constituted an apex committee on acupuncture to submit a report to the government on various measures to promote the education and practice as well as regulation of acupuncture.As per the WHO (World Health Organisation's) document WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023, 103 countries have recognised “acupuncture” as an independent system of medicine. However, India is late to the party in giving recognition to the medicine which originated in India in nearly 4,000 years ago.

The Union government through an administrative order in 2003, had partially allowed to continue acupuncture as 'mode of therapy' and to be practised only by qualified physicians and appropriately trained persons. But unfortunately, the order allowed only certificate courses to be conducted for medical graduates and stopped the degree and diploma courses on acupuncture running in some States like West Bengal and Maharashtra, which is the main reason for insufficient development of Acupuncture workforce in India especially after 2003.

The NDA government-led by Narendra Modi in an effort to give a big push to traditional forms of medicines invited proposals in February 2017 for recognition of the new system of medicine. Major acupuncture associations and institutions submitted a detailed document with all the necessary enclosures to the Health Research Desk under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Government of India in March 2017 demanding full-fledged independent recognition to Acupuncture system of medicine and its practitioners.

An Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC), constituted by Health Ministry examined the proposals in its meetings held in October 2017 and January 2018 before giving its final report in June 2018 in which it recommended Independent status for Acupuncture.Dr Nelapatla Sudhir, who is from MBBS background, has shifted to acupuncture therapy three decades ago and runs two exclusive clinics in Hyderabad, said the Centre's decision was a blessing in disguise.

He stated that he has been treating patients for various disorders, pain conditions, paralysis and chronic cases, respiratory problems like allergy, asthma, sinusitis etc. and all his patients have been satisfied with the results.M Manoharan, an acupuncturist from the city, felt that following Centre's decision Acupuncture degree courses would be introduced with new syllabus and curriculum that will be finalised by taking inputs from experts already practising the medicine for several years and other stakeholders.

Manoharan also filed an online petition seven months ago seeking the attention of the Union Health Ministry to recognize Acupuncture as Independent system of medicine.Healer Quratulain Lasania, Acupuncture Therapist from the city, said the benefits of acupuncture are amazing but people at large are not aware much of this form of treatment and its effectiveness." Allopathy gives instant relief but it is also temporary and also has a risk of side effects. It's great that Centre has recognised Acupuncture and I feel it is a greater step towards better health care to people," she said.