Source: PRS India
Recently the Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare (Chairperson: Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav) submitted its report on the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill, 2019. The Bill seeks to repeal the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970 and provide for the regulation of education and practice of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Sowa-Rigpa
Key observations and recommendations of the Committee
Composition of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM):
- The Committee observed that the strength of the NCISM and the representation from states as proposed in the Bill must be increased for its effective functioning.
- It noted that there were eight lakh registered AYUSH doctors in India. Of these, 56% of doctors belong to Ayurveda, 6.4% to Unani, and 1.4% to Siddha and Naturopathy. The Bill provides for three members to be elected from Ayurveda and one each from Unani, Siddha, and Sowa-Rigpa.
- To ensure proportionate representation of doctors in the NCISM, the Committee recommended increasing the representation of Ayurveda doctors from three members to six members.
- The Committee recommended that the total strength of the NCISM be increased from 29 members to 44 members.
Autonomous Boards: The Bill sets up certain autonomous boards under the supervision of the NCISM. These boards are:
- The Board of Ayurveda and the Board of Unani, Siddha, and Sowa-Rigpa
- The Medical Assessment and Rating Board for Indian System of Medicine, and
- The Ethics and Medical Registration Board.
To provide for a central regulatory framework for Yoga and Naturopathy, the Committee recommended setting up a Board of Yoga and Naturopathy under the NCISM.
It also proposed the constitution of a Board of Research to facilitate research programmes in the Indian System of Medicine, Yoga, and Naturopathy.
