Government considering recommendations to set up regulatory mechanism for acupuncture, ET HealthWorld

NEW DELHI: The government is actively considering the recommendations of the Supreme Committee on Acupuncture towards establishing a regulatory mechanism, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said on Tuesday. Replying to a question, the minister said comprehensive consultations involving multiple ministries, including the Ministry of AYUSH, have been completed in this regard. He said based on the recommendations of the Standing Committee of Experts, acupuncture qualifies as a form of treatment.

An Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) set up by the Ministry of Health and Research recommended in 2018 that acupuncture could be accepted as a stand-alone healthcare system for indications where evidence and expertise in education, training and certification exist.

After considering the IDC report, the Accelerator Committee on Acupuncture (ACA) was formed to promote and regulate acupuncture as a system of health care and treatment, Nadda explained.

The ACA recommendations and guidelines include suggested course curricula for certification, degree, and diploma courses in acupuncture, suggested template rules and regulations to regulate the system, and suggestions regarding reimbursement for acupuncture treatment.

The committee further recommended that to implement the guidelines, the government take appropriate decisions on establishment of appropriate regulatory mechanisms to ensure a suitable environment and system for the promotion and regulation of the practice of acupuncture as a health care and treatment system in the country, Nadda said.

“The recommendations of the Supreme Committee on Acupuncture to establish an appropriate regulatory mechanism are being actively considered by the government,” he said.