Andhra Pradesh Allows Ayurvedic Surgeries; IMA Raises Alarm Over Patient Safety

• Andhra Pradesh government permits qualified Ayurvedic doctors to perform select surgical procedures, including 39 under Shalya Tantra and 9 under Shalakya Tantra.
• Health Minister Satyakumar stated the move integrates traditional Indian medicine with contemporary healthcare, following 2020 Central rules.
• Procedures include wound management, piles, anal fissures, cyst excision, cataract, tonsil surgeries, and skin grafting.
• The Indian Medical Association (IMA) strongly opposes the decision, citing serious patient safety concerns due to insufficient modern medical training.
• IMA President Dilip Bhanushali warned against diluting healthcare standards and urged the state to reconsider, emphasizing specialized training in modern medicine.

Why It Matters: Andhra Pradesh's move to allow Ayurvedic surgeries faces strong opposition from IMA over patient safety.