KOCHI: Despite the rise in fake acupuncture practitioners, regulatory measures are still delayed. The process to form central and state councils to oversee acupuncture as an independent medical system is ongoing. The Union Health Ministry has classified acupuncture under 'Allied Therapy,' but it has not yet developed a curriculum or established a regulatory system similar to the Medical Council. There is no system in place to approve acupuncture clinics or institutions.

The Indian Naturopathy and Yoga Graduates Medical Association has submitted requests to the government to prevent unrecognized institutions from offering treatment, but no action has been taken. The government began forming a National Council for Acupuncture a year and a half ago, following orders from the Kerala and Tamil Nadu High Courts. They also considered the opinion of Albert Michael, who filed a petition on this matter. A notification was issued placing acupuncture in the Allied Therapy category, but many people continue to receive treatment from unrecognized short-term courses. The State Medical Council has warned against such practices.

Eligibility to practice acupuncture is limited to those who have completed a BNYS degree, which is a five-and-a-half-year course in naturopathy taught at medical universities.

''Treatment by those who are not trained and have no knowledge of physiology can cause serious health problems.”

Dr. Dinesh Karta, President, Indian Naturopathy and Yoga Graduates Medical Association

''The government should implement a regulatory system for acupuncture treatment to avoid fake treatments.”

Dr. Ansmol Varghese, Acupuncture therapist