THIRUVANANTHAPURAM — The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Kerala state branch has issued a stern warning to political parties regarding the inclusion of “mixopathy” in their 2026 Assembly election manifestos. The association expressed deep concern that endorsing the integration of modern medicine with AYUSH systems (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) without scientific validation poses a significant threat to patient safety and the integrity of healthcare.
A Conflict with Scientific Principles
The IMA’s objection coincided with World Health Day 2026, themed “Unite for Health, Stand with Science”. Dr. N. Sulphi, convener of the IMA national action committee and former IMA Kerala president, stated that promoting mixopathy directly contradicts this theme by ignoring the decades of rigorous research and clinical trials required for modern medical practices.
Constitutional and Safety Concerns
The medical body highlighted that mixing different systems of medicine violates the spirit of Article 51A(h) of the Indian Constitution, which mandates that citizens develop a “scientific temper, humanism, and a spirit of inquiry”. Key concerns raised by the IMA include:
- Patient Safety: Applying two distinct systems of medicine without a scientific basis can lead to dangerous clinical outcomes and compromised treatment quality.
- Legacy of Healthcare: IMA officials noted that Kerala’s high standards in healthcare are a result of scientific approaches by successive governments; embracing mixopathy would undermine this legacy.
- Integrity of Modern Medicine: The association urged all political fronts to maintain the “purity of modern medicine” and avoid using healthcare as a tool for political declarations in manifestos.
Election Context
As the 2026 Assembly elections approach, major political fronts, including the LDF, UDF, and NDA, have released manifestos focusing heavily on welfare schemes and infrastructure. While the BJP-led NDA has promised the state’s first AIIMS, the IMA remains vigilant against any underlying policies that might promote integrative medicine at the cost of scientific standards.
