PMC registrar, president differ on action against BAMS doctors

The Punjab Medical Council (PMC) registrar and president have different views on initiating action against the BAMS doctors practising allopathy.

Having issued the notice to the two BAMS doctors of Patiala, PMC registrar Dr Gurdeep Singh Kalyan on Thursday said the matter should be dealt by the Ayurvedic Board of Punjab as the registration of BAMS doctors was not with the PMC.

Dr Kalyan said, “I was not clear about the facts at that time and thus signed the notice. But now as the facts are clear, I will forward the matter to the registrar, Ayurvedic Board, Punjab, and will also inform the Patiala SSP.”

Dr Kalyan is also the chairman of the Ayurvedic Board.

The PMC registrar, on October 31, had written to the Patiala SSP to register a case against the two BAMS doctors for practising in allopathic medicine under Section 420 of the IPC and Section 23 of the Medical Registration Act.

On the other hand, PMC president Dr GS Grewal said, “Action will be taken against the BAMS doctors practising in allopathic medicines. How a doctor with a degree of acharya or vaid can practise in allopathic medicine when he/she is not entitled to that, thus an FIR against the doctors will be registered.”

Dr Grewal said the decision regarding action against such doctors was taken by the council collectively during its meeting held on July 26, thus the registrar couldn’t deny it.

Dr Sanjeev Goyal, registrar of Ayurvedic Board, Punjab, also questioned the recommendation of action by the PMC against the BAMS doctors. Dr Goyal said, “The PMC should work within its ambit and act against those violating the norms and registered with it. The other matter should be referred to the board concerned.”

He said the base of any allopathic medicine is ayurveda. “The PMC instead of taking action against the BAMS doctors should trap allopathic doctors working without a qualified pharmacist or those indulging in unethical activity,” he added.