Ayurveda-Allopathy Fusion Faces Backlash, Doctors urge Govt to reconsider JIPMER plan

New Delhi: The launch of India's first integrated MBBS and BAMS course at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER),  Puducherry, has sparked outrage among doctors nationwide.

Calling the Union Government's plans to mix different systems of medicine (Ayurveda and Modern Medicine) as "unscientific" and "Unfortunate", the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has demanded that the Government withdraw the "regressive proposal" in the interest of public health.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported about the Centre's plans of integrating allopathic and Ayurvedic medicine with plans to launch India's first MBBS-BAMS course at JIPMER. Announcing the plan, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and AYUSH (Independent Charge), Prataprao Jadhav, said that the course is at the conceptual stage, with a new syllabus in development.

IMA Opposes MBBS-BAMS Course at JIPMER: 

Vehemently opposing the Central Government's plans to commence an MBBS-BAMS Course, IMA, in a recent Press Release, mentioned how the association has pointed out several times that mixing of systems "which are incompatible is an irreversible catastrophe".

The association pointed out that since 1947, the life expectancy of an Indian has risen from a mere 32 years to 70.8 years in 2025. "This has been possible because of eradication of diseases like smallpox and neonatal tetanus by vaccines and access to modern maternal and child health care. Role of antibiotics and other modern drugs in treating diseases like Tuberculosis, plague, cholera and Typhoid was a significant contributor. Advances in cancer care, advent of insulin and other drugs for Diabetes and Hypertension as well as huge strides in managing heart diseases and stroke have a significant role," the association mentioned in the release.

IMA added that China also "miserably failed" in its "experiment of mixing modern medicine and Chinese Traditional medicine" and this also has resulted in decimation of their traditional medicine.

"In any case China is not India's role model in Health Care. We have a robust chain of Hospitals and Public Health services. With 779 medical colleges and 136325 MBBS doctors per year India has the largest number of medical colleges. In southern states the Doctor Population ratio has plummeted to below 1:500. Apart from anything else India is the frontier of medicine today. Infrastructure and expertise exists to undertake any medical intervention at a fraction of the cost than elsewhere. Indian doctors are the backbone of medical services in several western countries," the release by IMA mentioned.

It further added that "IMA fails to see any compelling reason or logic in the ill-advised Government move. IMA firmly believes that this misadventure will set back Health Care by a century."

The association opined that integration of modern medicine with Ayurveda will be "catastrophic" for Ayurveda as well. "Having failed to convince the Government IMA has no option but to take the people into confidence," the association further mentioned, while appealing to the nation to resist the indiscretion for the Health of future generations. 

"IMA appeals to qualified Ayurvedic physicians to defend their system. IMA respects all systems of medicine for their historic legacy. Let it be the choice of the patient to choose the system. Mixopathy takes away the right of the patient to choose care of his/her choice. Let all systems retain their pristine purity. Refrain from producing hybrid doctors who will be only qualified quacks. IMA demands that the Government withdraw this regressive proposal in the interest of the Health of the People," the association further mentioned in the release that was issued on 30.05.2025.

Reactions from Doctors: 

Commenting on the MBBS-BAMS integrated course, the Chief Patron to the FAIMA Doctors Association and a health activist, Dr. Rohan Krishnan called this a "flop idea". He told Medical Dialogues, "This is an absurd idea by JIPMER. Any integrated course of MBBS and Ayurveda is not required. Integration of courses and integrated medical facility are something which is going to promote mixopathy and promote irrational attitude of other streams of doctors towards patients."

Dr. Krishnan pointed out how often practitooners of Indian system of medicine are found prescribing allopathic medicine and added, "...we have seen that Ayurvedic doctors try to fool people by telling that they can prescribe allopathic medicine and then they start prescribing allopathic medicine. So all these things are very exhaustive ideas which have been tried before and have failed."

The National General Secretary of United Doctors Front (UDF) Dr Aruna Kumar also expressed concern regarding the proposal of launching an integrated MBBS-Ayurveda course at JIPMER.

"While Ayurveda holds a respected place in India’s cultural and medical heritage,it is crucial to understand that modern medicine (allopathy) and Ayurveda are two distinct systems of diagnosis and treatment, each with its own foundation, philosophy, and scientific approach. Attempting to merge them into a single academic program lacks scientific basis, threatens the integrity of medical education, and may severely compromise patient safety and evidence-based practice," he told Medical Dialogues.

Also Read: Breaking: JIPMER to launch India's first integrated MBBS-BAMS course

"This integration risks producing half-trained doctors in both systems rather than experts in either. It will create confusion among students, dilute clinical competence, and ultimately harm public health outcomes. We are not against promoting Ayurveda in fact, we support its independent strengthening through focused research, modernisation and separate high-quality training.But such artificial and forced integration undermines both systems and has no place in institutions like JIPMER, which are meant to set standards in medical education," he added.

The IMA Junior Doctors Network has also expressed deep concern over the announcement regarding the possibility of introducing an integrated MBBS-BAMS course at JIPMER.

While the association hailed the Government's initiatives for sanctioning Rs 1450 crore for JIPMER and expansion of services at the Karaikal campus, it opined that the proposal of integrating two fundamentally different systems- modern medicine and Ayurveda poses serious risks to the quality, clarity and credibility of medical education in India.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, the National Secretary of IMA JDN Standing Committee, Dr. Indranil Deshmukh expressed the concerns regarding the incompatible philosophical and clinical foundations of MBBS and BAMS, which could result in academic dilution and loss of scientific integrity. Further, he also expressed concerns regarding the impact of the decision on young doctors, who may find their global recognition and research opportunities jeopardized, along with AYUSH students facing identity loss. 

He also highlighted concerns regarding the danger of patient safety issues arising from unclear treatment protocols and medico-legal dilemmas, and the additional burden on institutes like JIPMER and on students already navigating a rigorous academic path.

"We respectfully urge the Ministry to reconsider the integration model and protect the sanctity of both medical systems. India’s strength lies in the coexistence of diverse healing traditions, each respected and nurtured in its own right," Dr. Deshmukh said.

Commenting on the matter, the National Convenor of IMA JDN, Dr. Karan Juneja, said, "The Government should reconsider its decision as mixing Ayurveda and MBBS would be catastrophic. Not only will it affect the sanctity of each of these different systems of medicine, but it will also create confusion among patients."

"Modern medicine stands firmly on a foundation of rigorous scientific research, evidence-based practices, and globally standardized protocols that ensure patient safety and optimal care. The proposed Mixopathy policy, which seeks to merge the roles of allopathic (MBBS) and Ayurvedic (BAMS) practitioners, risks diluting the quality and integrity of both systems," said the National President of FAIMA, Dr. Akshay Dongardive.

"This policy could inadvertently create a workforce of half-trained professionals, who are neither fully qualified in the complexities of modern medicine nor deeply rooted in the holistic principles of Ayurveda. Such a compromise not only jeopardizes patient safety but also undermines decades of progress in both streams. We urge the authorities to focus on strengthening individual systems of medicine, ensuring each maintains its own integrity, depth, and scope," he mentioned, further adding that "Healthcare is not an experiment. Patient lives depend on expertise, not on half-measures."

The Telangana Junior Doctors Association (T-JUDA) has also slammed the Government's move by terming it as "regressive" and "unscientific". Issuing a press release, the association mentioned that it was "deeply unfortunate" that the Union Government "appears determined to proceed with the unscientific and illogical mixing of distinct systems of medicine."

In the release dated 30.05.2025, the association mentioned how on numerous occasions, the association has pointed out that combining fundamentally incompatible medical systems is an irreversible and potentially catastrophic decision.

Further referring to the transformation of India's health landscape and increase of life expectancy through vaccination drive, implementation of modern maternal and child healthcare, use of antibiotics, advancement in the treatment of diseases like cancer, diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases etc., the association mentioned in the release, "Lessons from international failures must be heeded. China’s attempt to blend modern medicine with Traditional Chinese Medicine failed miserably and led to the weakening of its indigenous system. India, with its own identity and robust healthcare framework, must not follow this flawed model. With 779 medical colleges and 136,325 MBBS graduates annually, India stands as a global leader in medical education and healthcare delivery. Our southern states have already surpassed the WHO doctor-to-population ratio, with some regions reaching 1:500, demonstrating the strength and reach of our current system. Indian doctors are not only the backbone of national healthcare but are also pillars in healthcare systems across the globe."

Mentioning that JUDA sees no scientific rationale or public health benefit in the Government's push for "Mixopathy", the association further opined that "This initiative threatens not only modern medicine but also risks damaging Ayurveda by diluting its core principles."

Accordingly, the association urged all stakeholders to understand the consequences. It highlighted that Mixopathy undermines patient rights by stripping them of their freedom to choose their preferred system of care, threatens the integrity of both modern medicine and Ayurveda, risks producing inadequately trained, hybrid practitioners “qualified quacks” who lack full expertise in either discipline.

Therefore, TJUDA urged the government to immediately withdraw "this regressive proposal", respect the autonomy of each medical system, preserve the purity and heritage of both modern medicine and ayurveda, and engage transparently with the medical fraternity and public before implementing such transformative changes.

"JUDA appeals to the nation and to the community of Ayurvedic practitioners to unite in resisting this policy for the health and future of coming generations. Let every medical system thrive in its own domain. Let the patient retain the right to choose. Let science and reason guide our healthcare policies — not political expediency," the release further mentioned.

Also Read: New MBBS Curriculum Calls for Holistic Medicine, Doctors Cry Mixopathy