Unani medicine as career options

Ranjan K Baruah *

We have published articles related to Indian medicines like Ayurveda and other alternate medicine like Homoeopathy. Today, we are going to publish about another alternate medicine which is not very popular in North Eastern region but is popular in some part of the country.

Unani-tibb or Unani Medicine also spelled Yunani Medicine (Arabic, Hindustani, Pashto and Persian) is a form of traditional medicine practiced in middle-east & south-Asian countries. It refers to a tradition of Graeco-Arabic medicine, which is based on the teachings of Greek physician Hippocrates and Roman physician Galen, and developed into an elaborate medical system in middle age era by Arabian and Persian physicians, such as Rhazes (al-Razi), Avicenna (Ibn Sena), Al-Zahrawi, and Ibn Nafis.

Unani medicine first arrived in India around 12th or 13th century with establishment of Delhi Sultanate (1206–1527) and Islamic rule over North India and subsequently flourished under Mughal Empire. An outstanding physician and scholar of Unani Medicine, Hakim Ajmal Khan (1868 – 1927) championed the cause of the Unani system in India. The Unani System of Medicine is included in the Central Council of Indian Medicine as per IMCC, Act 1970.

It is considered as close to Ayurveda medicine of India, because both these medicines are based on the theory of ‘the presence of elements’ - fire, water, earth and air. At present the Unani system of medicine, with its own recognised practitioners, hospitals and educational and research institutions, forms an integral part of the Indian system of Medicine.

According to the Unani system of medicine, a person can maintain proper health by conserving a balance in various life activities. Unanipathy has shown results in curing diseases like Vitiligo, Eczema, Rheumatoid, Arthritis, Leucoderma, Psoroasis, Jaundice, Bronchial Asthma, Filariasis and several other acute and chronic diseases where other systems do not give the desired level of positive response.

Aspirants seeking admission to a Bachelor course in Unani Medicine are required to pass their senior school or plus two or equivalent examination in science stream Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) regulates the education of Unani in India.

There are about 42 recognized colleges of Unani medicine in India. Aspirants must pass Class XII exams to get admission to BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery). Those who have studied Urdu as a language in their 10+2 examination are given preference. Medium of instruction is mostly in Urdu but English is also used.

After graduation one can find jobs in dispensaries, Unani hospitals, health department, private nursing homes, Unani pharmacies, research centers as Unani hakims and pharmacists. BUMS graduate degree is equivalent to a MBBS degree. Therefore with this degree one can start practice in Unani medicine as Unani physician or consultant.

Opportunity for Law Graduate: Centre for Social Justice has announced the Young Professionals Programme for Legal Empowerment (YPPLE). YPPLE is designed to strengthen the capacities of young legal professionals to research issues of access to justice, and design interventions using law as an instrument for social change at the grassroots level. Those interested must send their applications latest by 20th September, 2015.