Acupuncturists who missed exam for registration stare at a bleak future
“There are people who have been practising acupuncture for decades. We pray that they give experienced practitioners a second chance as their livelihoods are at stake,” said an acupuncturist from Mumbai.
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Several other therapists claimed that the unwillingness of the state to allow them another chance to clear the exam would render them jobless. (File Photo)A large number of practitioners of the integrative medicine technique of acupuncture face an uncertain future as a new rule mandates obtaining licences to practice in Maharashtra.
Under the new rule, all practitioners had to go through a qualifying examination that was held on October 10, 2021, to obtain permanent registration. However, several acupuncturists could not attend the exam as the Covid pandemic was still on.
“I was attending to Covid patients due to which I missed the test. The council should at least give us a second chance as our entire career is at stake,” said a Mumbai-based acupuncturist who did not wish to be named.
The practitioners claim that the unwillingness of the state to allow one more chance to clear the exams has led to many practitioners being unable to practise.
“There are people who have been practising acupuncture for decades. We pray that they give experienced practitioners a second chance as their livelihoods are at stake,” said an acupuncturist from Mumbai.
In an aim to ensure standard in acupuncture treatment, the state decided to regulate its practice. Under the Maharashtra Acupuncture System of Therapy Act, 2015, it was mandated that all practitioners register themselves with the Maharashtra Council of Acupuncture and clear a basic proficiency test.
Unregistered practitioners are liable to be punished with imprisonment of up to six months or with a fine of up to Rs 1,000 or both.
Dr Rumi F Beramji, administrator of Maharashtra Council of Acupuncture, said, “All the acupuncturists were given a fair chance for the process by notifying them through all possible means. Despite the extension of one-and-a-half years, many did not pay heed and thus we came to this decision.”
Out of the 8,000 applicants, nearly 5,000 have cleared the test, becoming eligible for the registration certificate. The remaining 3,000 applicants and others who did not apply will not be allowed to practice without registration.
“The council requested the government to allow us to conduct the test one more time, but we did not hear anything from them. We clearly cannot go against the act,” said Narayan Nawale, the Registrar at Maharashtra Council of Acupuncture.
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