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In a significant development, the Delhi High Court has included the Indian Medical Association (IMA) as a party in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, a lawyer and BJP leader. The PIL aims to promote a comprehensive and integrated medical system, combining the strengths of various branches of medicine.
The IMA, representing practitioners of modern medicine, moved an impleadment application, which the Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora allowed. The court stated, “Present application is allowed. Respondents, including the newly-impleaded respondent, will file their replies.”
The PIL, initiated by Upadhyay, advocates for a holistic approach to medicine and emphasizes the need to integrate Allopathy, Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy into a unified medical system. The court, led by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeeb Narula, acknowledged the diverse knowledge present in these medical systems.
Expressing the belief that integrating these branches could lead to a more comprehensive healthcare approach, the court suggested that experts should explore the possibility. Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, representing the Indian Government, supported the idea of integration, stating it would incorporate “the best of everything.”
The court clarified that the decision on integration should be made by experts, emphasizing, “It is not for you and me to decide. It is for the experts to decide.”
Upadhyay informed the court about the NITI Aayog committee established to address the issue, urging the committee to expedite its work. The court had also added the Medico Legal Action Group and the Patanjali Research Institute, associated with yoga exponent Ramdev, as parties to the proceedings.
The PIL seeks the adoption of an Indian Holistic Integrated Medicinal Approach, replacing the colonial segregated approach of Allopathy, Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. It calls for the implementation of a Holistic Integrated Common Syllabus and Common Curriculum in all medical colleges to ensure the right to health.
Upadhyay argued that despite significant investments, India’s current healthcare system struggles to benefit the population against acute and chronic diseases. “Health care delivery in India is classified under three categories – primary, secondary, and tertiary care. All three levels need to work cohesively to help deliver healthcare on all four pillars,” he asserted.
The court’s recognition of the IMA’s role in this PIL underscores the importance of collaboration and dialogue between various medical systems for the betterment of healthcare in India.
