Ayurveda to Allopathy: Telangana introduces bridge course in modern medicine for mid-level Ayurveda Practitioners

Hyderabad: In an attempt to integrate the Ayurveda practitioners into modern medicine based health services in Government facilities, the Telangana Health and Family Welfare Department has introduced a new Bridge course training titled Certificate Program in Community Health (CPCH).

The Government has already given its permission in this regard and the course shall be conducted through Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS).

Announcing about this course, the Commissioner of the State Health Department mentioned in the order dated 18.11.2022, "Government has accorded permission to conduct Certificate Program in Community Health (CPCH) for BAMS Mid-Level Health Providers in the state through Kaloji Narayan Rao University of Health Sciences in the identified facilities."

The classes for this course commenced from November 23, 2022 and the District Medical and Health Officers (DM&HOs) have been given the responsibility to ensure the same.

In this regard, notification stated, "In this regard, all the DM&HOs and Superintendents of the training facilities are informed to commence the CPCH training classes from 23.11.2022 in the designated facilities."

"The Nodal Officers of training institutes to make necessary arrangements for class room and other facilities and submit the attendance during theory classes, self-study and clinicals in the facility of the students to DM&HOs on monthly basis," it added.

"The DM&HOs are to monitor the attendance of the students during filed visits and also to make arrangements for transportation of students for field visits and identification of facilities for their field visits," the notification further said.

Also Read: AYUSH medicos to undergo clinical training at modern medicine hospitals, colleges: AP Gazette

Clarifying that the modalities of the training programme and the budget details are attached with the notification, the Commissioner of the State Health Department asked all the DM&HOs and Superintendents of the training facilities to take necessary action and submit compliance report by November 23, 2022 and "utilise the budget from available funds under 15' Finance Commission."

As per the modalities of the course, attached with the notification, the CPCH course will comprise 85 days of theory classes, practical training, self-study and assignments and internal evaluation. The final examination shall be conducted by KNRUHS, and the University will also declare the results and issue course certificates.

During this course, the BAMS practitioners will be taught topics including Public Health and Epidemiology, Nutrition, Communicable Diseases, Non-communicable diseases, management of common medical conditions and emergencies, communication management and supervision, maternal, reproductive adolescent health, new born and child health care, Dental care, Eye care & ENT, mental health etc. 

Speaking about this, senior health officials told Telangana Today that there is enough evidence throughout the world that properly trained service providers are able to provide considerable primary care at the local level i.e. in the sub-centres and PHCs.

The senior doctors opined that qualified Ayurveda doctors and nurses, who are already available in the healthcare system, could be trained in public health and primary care through bridge programs on Community Health.

These BAMS practitioners, after being trained, will function as mid-level health care providers. The daily adds that these medical practitioners will be be posted at health sub centres and will be called 'Community Health Officers (CHOs)'.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that similar kind of decision was earlier taken by the Andhra Pradesh Government, which had allowed the students of AYUSH courses to undergo clinical training at modern medicine hospitals and medical colleges.

While the State had already given its nod for the matter, the Commissioner of AYUSH had earlier requested to give permission to the students and interns of some more AYUSH colleges for undergoing clinical and Non-clinical training in the Allopathic hospitals.

Approving the same, the State Government in its recent notification had given the list of AYUSH colleges, their intake capacity and the Modern colleges/Hospitals to which they have been attached.

Published in the Gazette dated September 6, 2022, the notification states, "After careful examination of the matter, Government hereby decide and permit the Students of AYUSH Colleges both Government and private (shown above pars) to undergo clinical training in modern hospitals mentioned against the AYUSH College as per the norms/guide lines of Central Council of AYUSH Systems and also hereby direct the DME, DPH, APVVP and other heads of respective institutions to arrange clinical training to the students of AYUSH Colleges both Government and Private to be established in future also, subject to, a fee need to fixed to be collected from Ayush colleges (Private) per head which shall be remitted to Government."

To view the notification, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/bridge-course-bams-budget-details-191915.pdf

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