Bhopal Council Issues Unrecognised BEMS Degrees Despite Ban

A council in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, is still issuing Bachelor of Electro Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BEMS) degrees, despite the government's repeated clarifications that Electrohomeopathy has no legal recognition in the state.

The issue was raised during the Assembly session, where the government reiterated that Electrohomeopathy is not a recognised system of medicine and that the BEMS degree is invalid. The government also stated that holders of the BEMS degree cannot practise medicine or use the prefix “Dr.”

The Council of Electro Homeopathic System of Medicine, which operates from MP Nagar, claims to have been functioning since 1982 and has registered 20,000 to 25,000 practitioners. However, an inspection found that the council was not operating from the listed address, and complaints allege that it continues to issue back-dated BEMS degrees and register practitioners.

MLA Sanjay Uikey raised the issue in the Assembly, alleging that the council was functioning unauthorised and that BEMS qualifications were being misused to run clinics. He stated that complaints filed with the AYUSH and Public Health and Medical Education departments in March were yet to see any reported action.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also clarified that Electrohomeopathy is not a recognised system of medicine and that Electrohomeopathy colleges, councils, and BEMS degrees have no statutory recognition.

When contacted, Dinesh Joshi, a BEMS practitioner associated with the council's Bhopal and Ujjain offices, said that admission to the BEMS course was open to anyone and that he had obtained his degree from the same council. However, when asked about the state's refusal to recognise BEMS, he disconnected the call. Other office-bearers did not respond to queries.

The continued issuance of unrecognised BEMS degrees by the council has raised concerns about the legitimacy of the practitioners and the potential risks to public health. The government's inaction on the issue has also been questioned, with MLA Sanjay Uikey seeking action against the council.

The AYUSH Department had told the Assembly last year that the council was not recognised by either the state government or the department. Despite this, the council continues to operate and issue degrees, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and enforcement.

In conclusion, the issuance of unrecognised BEMS degrees by the council in Bhopal is a matter of concern, and the government's inaction on the issue is alarming. The potential risks to public health and the legitimacy of the practitioners are significant, and immediate action is needed to address the issue.

The government must take steps to regulate the council and prevent the issuance of unrecognised degrees. The public must also be aware of the risks associated with unrecognised medical practitioners and take necessary precautions to ensure their health and safety.

The issue highlights the need for stricter regulations and enforcement in the medical education sector. The government must ensure that only recognised medical degrees are issued, and that practitioners are qualified and competent to provide medical services.

In the end, the safety and well-being of the public must be the top priority, and the government must take all necessary steps to prevent the issuance of unrecognised medical degrees and ensure that only qualified practitioners are allowed to practise medicine.