Mysore/Mysuru: State President of Bharatiya Samyukta Indian Systems of Medicine Association, Siddappa Magari, said that the High Court has stayed imposition of penalties by the Health Department on practitioners of Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM).

Addressing a press meet recently, Siddappa urged the District Health Department not to initiate action against ISM practitioners until the HC completes its hearing in the matter.

He stated that under the integrated system of medicine, Ayurveda doctors are permitted to provide certain allopathic treatments, as this forms part of their academic curriculum.

“The Ayurveda medical course includes nearly 40 percent of modern medicine in its syllabus. Doctors practising ISM are treating patients based on the training and knowledge they acquired during their studies. In such circumstances, it is not appropriate for the Health Department to conduct raids and penalise them,” he said.

He further argued that the National Commission for Indian Systems of Medicine has granted practitioners specific rights and provisions to carry out their practice. “Penalising them despite these provisions amounts to a violation of their rights,” he contended, cautioning authorities against branding such practitioners as fake doctors.

Mysuru District President of the Association, Dr. Jagadish Nayak, Secretary Dr. Madhu Darshan and others were present at the press meet.