3 years jail, Rs 20,000 fine if AYUSH practioners practice Allopathy

Trouble seems to be mounting for practitioners of Indian Systems of Medicine (AYUSH), including BUMS, BAMS, BIMS, BHMS practitioners who were earlier practicing allopathy. After the recent high court judgement clearly specifying that such practitioners cannot practice allopathy, the Delhi Medical Council taking cognizance of the order, has issued an advertisement in a newspaper reiterating the same.

Referring the judgement that came out on 8th April, 2016, DMC has noted that only persons who possess any of the recognized medical qualification as per First, Second or Third Schedule to the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and registered with the Delhi Medical Council is entitled to practice in modern scientific system of medicine (allopathy) in the NCT of Delhi.Moreover, the advt states that qualification of BAMS, BIMS, BUMS, Ayurvedic/Unani/ Siddha or Homeopathy are not recognized medical qualification as per the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, hence, holder of such qualifications are not entitled to practice modern scientific system of medicine (allopathy).

Any person practicing modern scientific system of medicine (Allopathy) in contravention of the above will render himself liable to punitive action, inter-alia, under Section 27 of The Delhi Medical Council Act, 1997, which is reproduced as under:-

Section 27. False assumption of Medical Practitioner or Practitioner under this Act to be an offence: Any person who falsely assumes that he is a medical practitioner or practitioner as defined in Clause (7) of Section 2 and practices the modern scientific system of medicine, shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment which may extend up to three years of with fine which may extend up to Rs. 20,000/-or with both.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues Team, Dr Arun Gupta, President, Delhi Medical Council said, " Delhi Medical council as a constitutional body, has an obligation to see and check that those who are not qualified in the field of allopathy, should not be allowed to practice the same. I rather urge to all my colleagues from other pathies to restrict to their own pathy and not to demean their own field by indulge in cross pathies. "

Following is the copy of the advt