Indian Medical Association (IMA) National President Dr. Dilip Bhanushali has strongly opposed the government’s attempt at “mixopathy,” saying that allopathy and homeopathy should not be merged into a single degree. Speaking at the East Zone IMA conference held in Bhagalpur on September 21, he emphasized that every medical discipline is unique and must remain separate. “We are not against Ayurveda or Homeopathy, but each system has its own methodology. The government should not mix them,” he said.
Dr. Bhanushali also called for strengthening India’s healthcare system, increasing the number of doctors, and introducing stricter provisions under the Consumer Protection Act. “At present, the law provides three years of imprisonment with a bailable offense. This must be raised to seven years with a non-bailable clause,” he said. He added that Bihar’s IMA is strong enough to lead major reforms in the sector.
IMA Bhagalpur President Dr. Rekha Jha and Secretary Dr. R.P. Jaiswal noted that Bihar’s IMA membership remains low and needs to increase for a stronger future. They also highlighted the need for an airport in Bhagalpur to facilitate bigger national-level medical conferences.
Alongside lectures by senior doctors including Dr. A.K. Sinha, Dr. Alok Singh, and Dr. Anju Turiyar, a competition for postgraduate doctors was organized. Dr. Shahar Naz from the Microbiology Department won first prize, followed by Dr. Manoj Yadav and Dr. Saifur Rahman Saif.
For the first time, the eight-hour conference was streamed live on social media. Doctors from 12 states participated, sharing their experiences on a wide range of medical challenges.
The event was attended by several dignitaries including former IMA National President Dr. Sahajanand Prasad Singh, General Secretary Dr. Sarbari Dutta, and Honorary Secretary Dr. Sise Ram, along with senior doctors from across India.
Several sessions focused on women’s health issues. Experts highlighted the importance of regular screening, cervical cancer vaccination, and maintaining thyroid and glucose balance during pregnancy to protect both mother and child. Dr. Archana Jha clarified that misconceptions about “excessive medicines during pregnancy” need to be addressed through awareness. Dr. Imrana Rahman added that timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent long-term complications.
Ophthalmologist Dr. Satish Kumar advised patients not to wait for cataracts to “mature” before surgery, stressing that modern surgical methods are far safer and more effective. Other senior doctors underlined that fear of surgery must be replaced with awareness of new techniques.
