ACUPUNCTURE therapy has emerged as an effective alternative system of medicine. But the absence of any regulatory mechanism has led to an increase of quacks in this field, which has earned a bad name for the therapy.
In order to formalise the practice of acupuncture therapy and attract certified doctors, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou) in association with the Institute of Acupuncture and Natural Medicines (IANM) has launched a postgraduate diploma in acupuncture. Only certified medical doctors with an MBBS, ayurveda, unani medicine, yoga and naturopathy degrees would be eligible to pursue this oneyear programme.
While explaining the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy as an alternative system of medicine, Raman Kapur, adjunct professor to Ignou and chairperson of IANM, said, “The government in 2003, recognised acupuncture as a mode of therapy which only medical doctors are eligible to practise. But many quacks entered the field. To rule out these quacks we have started a course, certified and affiliated to a recognised university.”
On why doctors would like to learn a form of treatment other than their field, Kapur added, “We want certified doctors to use this therapy along with their practice because acupuncture is a therapy that can cure most diseases except tuberculosis and cancer and also those diseases where surgeries are required. It will be a complementary system to their own practice.” Also, there are many diseases for which doctors send their patients to acupuncture centres. On pursuing this course, doctors would be able to treat their patients themselves, he further added. “The course can be pursued by general physicians to cure common diseases like rhinitis (common cold), bronchitis, asthma, tonsillitis. Child specialists can also take up this course and use laser, colour and electronic acupuncture. Orthopaedics, neurosurgeons, gastroenterologists, ophthalmologist, skin specialists, cosmetologists are others who can also take up acupuncture therapy."
The course will be taught at nine different centres in places like Delhi, Indore, Kota, Kerala, Chennai, Karnataka, Orissa and Ludhiana. There will be six different modules, which will be taught online and for 40 days, the candidates would be required to go to the respective centres for practical training. The 40-day practical training will be divided in four sessions. The course fee is Rs 20,000. “On completion of the course, doctors can start practising as the cost of setting up an acupuncture centre is not very high. The basic cost of equipment could cost around Rs 50,000,” Kapur informed.
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