Alternate medicine courses still popular at Tibbia College

Amidst talk of sky high cut-off and hefty fees in private medical institutions, Delhi University's Tibbia College is fast emerging as an option for those unable to crack medical entrances for top MBBS colleges. The forms for Tibbia College will be out between October and November.

Undergraduate courses on offer at the college include Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS) and Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS). Tibbia College is the only institution in the University offering these courses.

A professor in the college administration said, "Unani and Ayurveda are two different streams and no comparison should be made as both have equal value. Not everyone can study it. Knowledge of Sanskrit or Hindi for Ayurveda and Urdu for Unani is required as an eligibility criterion."

The college has about 40-50 seats for both courses.

Talking about BAMS, professor said, "Since ancient times, Ayurvedic medicine has been used to treat not only common sickness like cold or flu but other diseases as well. Due to the herbs which are used in Ayurveda, it has no side effects."

The professor further added that every course has different purpose. However, on taking a closer look, one can see that Ayurveda is a popular choice, with the Ayurvedic school of medecine gaining popularity in India with many people relying on Ayurvedic method of diagnosis. "It may be an ancient method, but in modern times it has been viewed as one of the most effective methods of treatment," the professor added.

Elucidating on the importance of Unani, the professor stated: "Unani is a Persian-Arabic medicine, which has been used in Mughal India and Central Asia. It can treat almost any disease for which modern medicine has been developed."

On the job prospects from these courses, the professor said: "Both courses have immense value. Many of our graduates have successfully been placed in reputed hospitals."