IMA against AYUSH practitioners performing abortion: Nadda

In a shocking revelation, Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Tuesday said that the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has objected to the government’s move to allow AYUSH and non-MBBS medical practitioners the right to conduct abortions. It would have made available safe and quality abortion services to women, especially in rural areas.  

Nadda, replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, said IMA and the Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI) have raised objections to expand provider base to include AYUSH and other non-MBBS practitioners for conducting abortion services.

The government had formulated a draft bill to amend the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971, which will allow AYUSH practitioners, homeopaths and paramedical staff excluding yoga and naturopathy to administer medical methods of abortion on pregnant women with requisite training and certification.

According to IMA and FOGSI, MTP is to be done only by registered medical practitioners who are all trained qualified MBBS doctors, he said.  “The government is of the view that expanding the provider base by way of including AYUSH practitioners will enhance the access and availability of safe abortion services to women without compromising on quality of services,” the minister told the Rajya Sabha.

Speaking on policies for promotion of AYUSH practices, the minister said the government has laid down the national policy on Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy-2002 which envisages overall growth and development of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy.

 “Government has formulated programmes and operational measures for promotion of AYUSH medical practices through centrally-sponsored scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) and various central sector schemes,” Nadda said. 

The minister also informed for the Ministry of AYUSH, a total budgetary provision of Rs 1,214 crore has been earmarked for the current financial year 2015-16, of which Rs 1,008 crore are for plan and Rs 206 crore for non-plan outlay. Central sector schemes have been provided a provision of Rs 690 crore whereas Rs 318 crore has been kept for centrally sponsored schemes.