Thiruvananthapuram: NCISM Order on Medical Fitness Certificates

Through a recent order, the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has clarified that registered practitioners of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Sowa-Rigpa are now entitled to issue medical fitness certificates as per the provision of NCISM Act, 2020.

On January 20, Rakesh Sharma, president, Board of Ethics and Registration, NCISM issued the order to the commissioners of the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Corporation, New Delhi, and Kerala.

In the order, it was pointed out that organizations like ESI had been considering AYUSH practitioners 'unauthorized' to issue the certificate. The commission was then asked by the Union Ayush Ministry to issue a clarification.

As per the order so issued, "Ayush practitioners are entitled to sign or authenticate a medical certificate or any certificate required by law to be signed or authenticated by a duly qualified medical practitioner."

An official order by #NCISM now allows #AYUSH doctors to issue medical/fitness certificates. pic.twitter.com/GkeMTi80Vy

— Jignasa (@Jignasaayush) January 24, 2022

Prior to this, only MBBS graduates or postgraduates in Ayurveda were allowed to issue medical fitness certificates for driving licenses.

Also Read: Now Ayurvedic Practitioners Can Issue Medical Certificate For Driving License

The director of Indian System of Medicine (ISM) had claimed that BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine, and Surgery) doctors are equally qualified like MBBS doctors to grant medical certificates.

It has been considered as statutory rights since Ayush practitioners are entitled to sign or authenticate a medical certificate or any certificate required by law to be signed or authenticated by a duly qualified medical practitioner.

Section 34 (1) (c) of the NCISM Act 2020 gives statutory right to any person who is registered under the State or National Register, to sign or authenticate a medical certificate or any other certificate by any law to be signed or authenticated by a duly qualified medical practitioner.

In addition, the order also stated that the term "duly qualified medical practitioner" shall also encapsulate the practitioners of Indian systems of medicine registered under the State or National Register.

The NCISM is a complete code in itself that is valid across the country and one that deals with regulations of its practitioners, including their rights. The authorities are directed to take necessary action and consider Ayush practitioners with "credibility", the order added.