Over 300 BAMS docs to handle health & wellness centres in Nagpur division

Nagpur: More than 300 doctors having BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) degree will be allowed to prescribe allopathic medicines apart from handling maternal and child care, geriatrics, palliative care, screening and treatment of non-communicable diseases, mental health, ophthalmic and ENT, trauma care, dental care, neonatal and infant care, and family planning in rural areas of Nagpur division soon.

These ayurveda doctors are currently undergoing a six-month training designed by Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS). They will join their duties after clearing an exit test which is scheduled to be held on March 6 to 8.

Dr Vijay Kandewad, joint director of health services, government of Maharashtra, said these doctors are part of a batch of 1,292 BAMS doctors which is undergoing similar six-month training at 36 centres across the state.

“Those who clear the exit test will be posted at Health and Wellness Centres in 19 districts. They will work as family physicians for a large population. Over 1,200 primary health centres and sub-centres in the state will be upgraded in the coming years which means most of them will get appointments,” he said.

Once the doctors take charge of the Health and Wellness Centers, it will be a unique development for Maharashtra as BAMS doctors will be legally allowed to prescribe allopathic medicines here only.

Examination controller of MUHS, Dr Ajit Pathak, told TOI that the university has prepared the six-month crash course in such a way that doctors will get effective idea of allopathic treatment. “Examination will be conducted in March and those who clear the test will get certificates. Those who qualify after the test will only shoulder the responsibility of Health and Wellness Centres,” he said.

In Nagpur division, all districts, excluding Nagpur, will have Health and Wellness Centres. At present, the training is underway at district hospitals at Wardha, Bhandara, Gondia, Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, and sub-district hospitals in Tumsar and Hinganghat. BAMS doctors will get Rs25,000 fixed monthly pay plus allowances for this work.