The High Court on Saturday released its verdict in which it ruled that people with Homoeopathic and Unani degrees cannot use “Doctor” as a title before their names.
In the 71-page verdict, the bench of Justice Md Ashraful Kamal and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil said that as per the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) Act 2010, no one other than a person holding an MBBS or BDS degree from a registered institution can use the doctor title in their names.
However, on September 3, 2014, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), in a revised notification, allowed the ayurvedic, Unani, and homoeopathy physicians or practitioners selected for the “Alternative Medical Care (AMC)” plan to use the doctor title.
“This is illegal,” said the court.
The Bangladesh Homeopathic Board, on February 6, 2020, had also issued a notification that said physicians practising homoeopathy in different branches can use doctor at the beginning of the name.
The High Court termed this notification “illegal” as well and suggested the formation of a separate ministry, in the likes of India’s Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy (Ayush), for alternative medicare in the country.
The titles AMC professionals can use in their names, as per the verdict, are – Integrated Physician, Complementary Physician, Integrated Medicine Practitioner, and Alternative Medical Practitioner.
Earlier, homoeopathic and Unani degree holders had filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking directions to use doctor as the title at the beginning of their names.
Following a hearing, the court had ruled that these degree holders cannot say doctor before their names.
The full version of the verdict was released on Saturday.
