Latest news with #JIPMER
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
IMA Telangana opposes proposed integrated MBBS-BAMS course
Hyderabad: The Central govt's announcement to introduce an integrated medical course combining MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) and BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, has evoked strong criticism from the medical fraternity in Telangana. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The idea of the course stems from the National Medical Commission's (NMC) move of introducing modules on AYUSH to promote the integration of modern medicine with homoeopathy and Ayurveda. Typically, it takes five and a half years to complete the MBBS course, including a year of mandatory internship. Dr Dwarkanath Reddy, president, IMA Telangana, said that the integrated course could compromise the rigorous standards of modern medical education as it not only threatens modern medicine but also risks damaging Ayurveda by weakening its core principles. "We recognise the importance of Ayurveda, but mixing it with medicine will not benefit either field as it does not align with the principles of modern medicine. Will a patient be given ayurvedic medicine after a medical surgery? Patients will be the ultimate losers this way as it strips them of their freedom to choose a preferred system of care," he said. Earlier, the Telangana Junior Doctors Association (T-JUDA) called the announcement a "regressive and unscientific move," stating that it sees no public health benefit in the govt's push for "mixopathy," a term coined for the integrated course. Dr J Isaac Newton, president, T-JUDA, said that the new course risks producing inadequately trained practitioners, who can also be called "qualified quacks." "This is because they will lack expertise in either of the two disciplines. We should take the example of China, whose attempt to blend modern medicine with traditional Chinese medicine failed miserably and led to the weakening of its own indigenous system. " Doctors also appealed to practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine to unite in opposing the new policy for the benefit of both doctors and patients.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Puducherry upgrades emergency medical services
Puducherry's emergency healthcare infrastructure has undergone a significant upgrade with the launch of a state-of-the-art 108 Command Centre that is expected to deliver quicker and more effective assistance for those in critical need. According to a press note, the crucial upgrade of the 108 Command Centre is the result of a collaborative initiative between the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services, Puducherry, JIPMER and ICMR through the INDIA-EMS study, which operates as an National Health Research Priority Project (NHRP) aimed at developing advanced emergency care systems nation-wide. The INDIA-EMS team along with State officials developed a Smart Ambulance Dispatch System. This unique, indigenously-developed application is specifically designed to improve both the quality of on-site care and en-route care (Pre-Hospital Care) for patients across Puducherry. The new system is expected to facilitate faster response times and more efficient management of emergency medical situations. Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, who also holds the Health portfolio, formally commissioned the upgraded facility and reaffirmed the government's commitment towards ensuring accessible and high-quality healthcare for all sections of the Puducherry population. He also distributed smartphones for drivers, tabs for technicians and raincoats for both personnel. Jayanta Kumar Ray, Health Secretary, emphasised the imperative of prehospital care and the importance of control room to ensure that the golden-hour criteria was achieved by advanced response systems and ambulance support. V. Ravichandran, Director of Health, underlined the critical role of a technologically-advanced command centre in saving lives and improving patient outcomes during emergencies. Vir Singh Negi, Jipmer Director, Mission Director (NHM) and Ragunathan, deputy director (IEC) participated. Meenakshi Sharma, Scientist-G from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, who joined the event in virtual mode, commended the Puducherry government and the INDIA-EMS team for the initiative, which represented 'a significant step towards utilising indigenous innovation to enhance emergency medical care delivery.'
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
IMA opposes proposed integrated MBBS-BAMS course, calls it unscientific
The Indian Medical Association on Friday (May 30, 2025) condemned the proposed introduction of an integrated course combining MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) and BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) programmes at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry. Calling the move 'unfortunate', it said this 'unscientific mixing of various systems of medicines will not benefit doctors or patients''. The Central government had earlier announced plans to integrate modern and Ayurvedic medicine under one academic curriculum, with a new integrated medical programme expected to be launched at the premier healthcare institute in Puducherry. 'It is unfortunate that the Union government seems to have decided to go ahead with its plans to unscientifically mix systems of medicine. Reports indicate that the first integrative course mixing MBBS and BAMS would be started in the premier institution of JIPMER, Pondicherry,' said the IMA in a statement. The MBBS is the foundational undergraduate medical degree that prepares students to practice as physicians and surgeons. It typically takes five and a half years to complete and includes a year of mandatory internship. The BAMS, on the other hand, is a degree focused on Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine. The BAMS too is a five-and-a-half-year programme and requires four and a half years of academic study and a one-year mandatory internship. The MBBS and BAMS are currently offered in India as two separate degree programmes. The IMA said it had pointed out several times that mixing of 'incompatible systems' was an 'irreversible catastrophe'. It appealed to qualified Ayurvedic physicians to defend their system, warning that '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,'' said the IMA, adding that the misadventure will set back healthcare by a century. It further said India is the 'frontier of medicine today' and infrastructure and expertise exist to undertake any medical intervention at a fraction of the cost elsewhere. 'Indian doctors are the backbone of medical services in several western countries. IMA fails to see any compelling reason or logic in the ill-advised government move,'' it said. The IMA added there are reasons to believe that this move would be catastrophic to Ayurveda as well. 'Having failed to convince the government, IMA has no option but to take the people into confidence. IMA appeals to the nation to resist this indiscretion for the health of future generations,'' the members said. It said India has seen life expectancy grow from 32 years in 1947 to 70.8 years in 2025 and this has been possible because of eradication of diseases like smallpox and neonatal tetanus by vaccines and access to modern maternal and child healthcare, while highlighting the positive role of antibiotics and other modern drugs in treating diseases like tuberculosis, plague, cholera and typhoid. It stated that 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 in enhancing the healthcare ecosystem. The association also cited mixing of medicine systems in China and said the move had failed there. 'China failed in its experiment of mixing modern medicine and Chinese traditional medicine; this also resulted in decimation of their traditional medicine. India has a robust chain of hospitals and public health services with 779 medical colleges and 1,36,325 MBBS doctors per year. We should not give away that advantage that our robust medical education system has created,'' the statement said.
New Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
JIPMER's upgraded trauma block now a Level 1 centre, equipped to handle 400 emergencies daily in Puducherry
PUDUCHERRY: The newly renovated Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care Block at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) was dedicated to the nation by Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Ayush (Independent Charge). This significant upgrade marks a critical advancement in JIPMER's capacity to provide high-quality emergency and trauma care, aligning the institution with national standards in disaster management and fire safety. The renovation project, executed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), involved a total investment of Rs 4.74 crore. The upgraded Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care Block has now been designated as a Level 1 Trauma Centre and is equipped to handle approximately 350 to 400 emergency cases daily. The modernisation initiative is aimed at significantly improving patient care, operational efficiency, and emergency preparedness at the institute. The refurbished block includes a newly constructed covered ambulance bay with a capacity to accommodate eight ambulances, designed to support quick patient pick-up and drop-off, as well as mass casualty incidents. The triage area has been expanded, incorporating a unidirectional patient flow system with distinct entry and exit points to streamline emergency operations. Resuscitation zones have been upgraded with additional power and gas outlets for high-acuity care, while the yellow and green zones now feature more oxygen ports to manage increased patient loads during emergencies. Fire safety has also been a key focus of the renovation. A comprehensive sprinkler system and a modernised fire pump room have been installed, ensuring full compliance with local safety regulations and building codes. Additionally, the Medicine Emergency Ward and High Dependency Unit (HDU) on the first floor have been refurbished for improved functionality and aesthetics. The trauma operation theatres and trauma wards have been redesigned to enhance readiness and care delivery. The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of several distinguished dignitaries, including K. Kailashanathan, Lieutenant Governor, and N. Rangaswamy, Chief Minister. The event also saw the participation of R. Selvam, Speaker of the Puducherry Legislative Assembly, Thiru S. Selvaganapathy, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), and V. Aroumougame @ AKD, Member of the Legislative Assembly from Indira Nagar, Puducherry.
New Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Renovated emergency and trauma care block inaugurated at JIPMER
PUDUCHERRY: The newly renovated Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care Block at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) was dedicated to the nation by Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Ayush (Independent Charge). This upgrade marks a critical advancement in JIPMER's capacity to provide high-quality emergency and trauma care, aligning the institution with national standards in disaster management and fire safety. The renovation project, executed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), involved a total investment of Rs 4.74 crores. The upgraded Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care Block has now been designated as a Level 1 Trauma Centre and is equipped to handle approximately 350 to 400 emergency cases daily. The modernisation initiative is aimed at significantly improving patient care, operational efficiency, and emergency preparedness at the institute. The refurbished block includes a newly constructed covered ambulance bay with a capacity to accommodate eight ambulances, designed to support quick patient pick-up and drop-off, as well as mass casualty incidents.
