AAI (estd in 1977 by Dr. B.K.Basu) has been approaching central government for recognition of acupuncture since 1984. First initiative was taken by Dr. Basu, founder of acupuncture in India, and President of AAI,
Later, AAI took the initiative to organize a conjoint move by acupuncturists and organizations from all over India. Consequently NCC for recognition of acupuncture was formed in 2009 in Delhi. AAI is an integral part of NCC. Dr. Raman Kapur was made convener of NCC. In its first meeting a memorandum was handed over to Sri Dinesh Trivedi, Union Minister of State of Health who kindly graced the meeting at request of Dr. Raman Kapur. After that, central government health ministry directed ICMR to examine the matter. NCC had held several meetings with ICMR in last five years, and submitted supportive documents of more than five thousand pages.
In March, 2017 Dr. Kapur had met Mr. J.P. Nadda, Union Health Minister and convinced him to recognize acupuncture as a system. Health Minister was convinced and tweeted in favour of recognition of acupuncture as independent system of medicine. As a result, an expert committee under the chairmanship of Dr. V.M. Katoch, ex-Director General of ICMR has been constituted by health ministry to look into the matter. Government notification was published calling applications from interested corners. On 4 October, 2017 presentations were made in front of the members of the expert committee.
It appears that the expert committee has agreed in principle to give better status to acupuncture (as a system of medicine) than mentioned in 2003 November G.O. where acupuncture was allowed to be practiced by registered doctors of modern medicine, AYUSH; later dentists and physiotherapists included.
Now, we can look forward that central government will make more positive steps. AAI’s mission is in the correct path. AAI believes to move with all.
