International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research

Authors
Lochan Sharma

Abstract
Since the time of independence till today, Indian Medical Health Care System has been approached with a variety of policy and programmatic recommendations for incorporating the indigenous/traditional system of medicines into the mainstream health care system, in order to encourage Medical Pluralism. It initiated with the Bhore Committee Report (1946), recognizing the importance of the Indigenous Medicine Systems and their need into public health sphere, and finally reaching a stage when AYUSH is incorporated under NRHM. Although, the utility of ISM has always been welcomed in health care system, its efficacy remains doubtful from public health perspective considering the cross-practices, hierarchies amongst different systems of medicine, recognition, legitimacy, quality controls, human resources, commodification of the health products including drugs etc. indicating major gaps in policy guidelines and its implementation. So, it becomes crucial to consider the socio-cultural barriers of indigenous societies causing hindrance in acceptance of such policies. This study understands the major policy changes using a critical paradigm since independence till today along with emphasizing on some of the major socio-cultural barriers in the proper implementation of those at the community level. Data was collected from policy documents, programmatic recommendations, major committee reports and the available literature online using the keywords. Conclusion: There have been very few studies which considered the emic perspective on such issue of integration of the indigenous system of medicine, especially in India. Policy implementation and its impacts need to be assessed in order to make a policy-oriented change in society for the benefit of human society.