Ayush doctors say expel Homoeopaths

Hyderabad: A memorandum has been submitted to the AYUSH ministry that it should cover only those healthcare systems which are of Indian origin.

Those promoting Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani and Siddha systems say that they are the original Indian systems and there must be a separate unit for homoeopathy as it originated in Germany.

A source said, “There is constant fighting between the various systems of medicine for funds. Ayurveda gets the highest allocation but due to the in-fighting among officers and doctors hardly any money has been utilised. Now, a section has found the new idea that homoeopathy is of German origin and must not be in the system, which is not the right approach.”

In 2014-15, the ministry was allocated Rs 1,069 crore, of which Rs 573 crore was returned as unutilised; Rs 153 crore was allotted for All India Institute of Homoeopathy and Homoeopathic Medicines Pharmaceutical Co Ltd but hardly any work was carried out.

Over half of the Rs 248 crore allotted to Ayurveda was not utilised. Homoeopathy doctors have refused to react to the demand. A homoeopath said, “If the government removes us from AYUSH they have to allot us another ministry where we can get all the benefits.”