New IMA Chief Dr Sharad Aggarwal Takes Charge, Advises Govt To Rethink Integrative Medicine Plans

Dr Sharad Kumar Aggarwal has been appointed as the new national president of the top doctor body the Indian Medical Association for 2022-23. In his first press briefing, Dr Aggarwal said that in the last 2 years, members of IMA fought the menace of Covid-19 shouldering the responsibilities as the biggest organisation of doctors of modern medicine with the government of India.

Reiterating that stand, he said that IMA stands with the government in all their healthcare projects and schemes whether in the eradication of epidemics or improving the overall healthcare structure of the country. 

"While Mixopathy has been a talk for a while and the government is planning to introduce Integrated medicine and treatment protocols by 2030, IMA has also urged the government to understand the impact of Mixopathy and rethink its strategy," Dr Aggarwal said.

While speaking with BW Healthcare World, Dr Aggarwal maintained that mixing all the different fields of medicines, like Sidha, Unani, Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Allopathy among others and using integrative medicine can be detrimental to the patients. He further said that all the different fields of medicine should get continued support from the government in research and medical education but it's best if these medicines function separately as mixing gets rid of the purity of these fields of medicine. 

He further said that "IMA wants the government to rethink its planning of the integration of all systems of medicine by 2030. We would like a thorough discussion on understanding the impact of Mixopathy on our masses in consultation with IMA."

Dr Aggarwal also stressed on various other aspects to be revamped in the healthcare industry such as the creation of Indian Medical Services, an increase in the healthcare spending of 5 per cent of GDP, the exclusion of Health Services from the Consumer Protection Act and the elimination of violence against doctors.

Adding to that Dr Aggarwal said that government should take the workforce of IMA into confidence in all their plans and programmes. Our opinion should be valued for improving various healthcare parameters of the country. "IMA is ready to participate in family welfare programmes, improving Maternal Mortality Rate, Infant Mortality Rate, eradication of tuberculosis and anaemia control etc.," he said.

As the number of Covid cases is steeply rising in various countries, the surge in India is still comparatively less alarming, though as per the previous trends, the cases may erupt suddenly in our country, one should follow Covid appropriate behaviour and get vaccinated for the virus, Dr Aggarwal said.