What is Siddha? One of the seven Ayush systems, Siddha system of medicine is an ancient traditional system of medicine that originated in South India. It is believed to be one of India’s oldest documented systems of medicine which is based on a combination of ancient medicinal practices and spiritual disciplines. The term Siddha means achievements and Siddhars who defied death preached the philosophy of Siddha medicine and theory of immortality and have achieved perfection in medicine. Eighteen Siddhars are said to have contributed towards the systematic development of this system, who recorded their experiences in the Tamil language. Agathiyar, one of the eighteen Siddhars is the founder father of Siddha medicine. Although it is mainly practised in the southern part of India, its importance and reach have grown globally across the world. Education in Siddha Standards of medical education in Siddha are laid down under the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) which is a statutory body constituted under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970. Under Graduate Courses (BSMS) BSMS courses are offered in two Government Colleges at the state level and in a number of private Medical Colleges. Post Graduate Courses – PG (MD (Siddha) & PhD programme) The postgraduate courses in Siddha are offered in two Government Medical Colleges
at the State level and the National Institute of Siddha at the Central level. The Ph.D. programme is conducted in the National Institute of Siddha and Government Siddha Medical Colleges. The National Institute of Siddha (NIS), Chennai is a premier institute run by the Ministry of Ayush for imparting training, teaching, and research in Siddha. This is an apex Institute for Siddha medicine to develop human resources, render quality health care services, promote and propagate Siddha medicine and undertake researches to establish evidence-based medicine. Established in the year 2005, NIS offers important courses like Postgraduate course M.D (Siddha) and PhD. programmes in various disciplines of Siddha medicine. Its curriculum is meticulously planned to integrate the benefits of a traditional healthcare system with modern science.
Branch IV: Kuzhandhai Maruthuvam (Paediatrics)
Career Opportunities
A BSMS qualified Siddha doctor can get an appointment in government hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) through the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission. Appointments are also catered for in Central Government Health scheme (CGHS) wherein Siddha graduates get appointed as Medical Officers in CGHS wellness centres in cities like Chennai and Delhi. Various openings at different levels are also available for Siddha graduates under the Ministry of Ayush, Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS), National Institute of Siddhaand the Central Council of Indian Medicine. The Kerala Government also has employment opportunities for Siddha doctors in its Indian medicine dispensaries. Owing to the awareness and appreciation of Siddha system of Medicne by the public, Siddha doctors have ample of opportunities in the field of private clinical practice, teaching career in private medical colleges, pharma industries and research units. Last updated on November 18th, 2021 at 02:04 pm |