Oct 28, 2022
Exploring Alternative Medicine Career in Ayurveda, Unani and Homoeopathy: Scope for Students as An Alternative Career
Introduction
A common myth among Indians is that medical students cannot become a doctor without pursuing MBBS. However, there are many medicine-related courses that are not MBBS, yet one can earn a good salary and work at many reputed organisations after pursuing them. In fact, many of these courses can be completed in a similar duration as that of MBBS. These medicine-related courses are related to the field of alternative medicine i.e. Ayurveda, Unani and Homoeopathy. There are many government and private colleges offering UG, PG and diploma level courses in these fields with affordable fees and a good work environment.
The article aims to introduce the scope of a career in the areas of Ayurveda, Unani and Homoeopathy and where and how they can be pursued. Read on!
A Career In Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a traditional system of natural and holistic medicine that has its roots in ancient India. People are increasingly becoming aware of the immense and speedy healing benefits of Ayurveda. The field is growing wider and so are the career options. From becoming an Ayurvedic doctor to working in a wellness centre, to going into academics or research -there are so many options to choose from.
Educational Qualifications Required
Below mentioned is a list of undergraduate, diploma and postgraduate courses which can be pursued to make a career in the field of Ayurveda:
Course Name
Duration
Eligibility exam
Average Course Fees
B.Pharm- Bachelor of Pharmacy in Ayurveda
4 years
Entrance of the respective university (wherever required)
Rs. 1,50,000
BAMS- Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery
5.5 years (including 1 year internship)
NEET UG
Rs. 10,000 - 50,000
Diploma in Ayurveda
6 months to 2 years depending on the course
Entrance exam of respective university (wherever required)
Rs. 20,000 to 1,50,000
MD in Ayurveda
3 years
AIAPGET 2022
Rs.20,000 to 10,00,000
MS in Ayurveda
3 years
AIAPGET 2022
Rs.1,00,000 to 7,00,000
Source: Collegedunia, Ncertbooks.guru
Note:
Apart from clearing entrance exams (wherever required), for pursuing B. Pharm and BAMS, students are required to complete 10+2 in PCB with a minimum of 50% aggregate from a recognised university.
For pursuing master's courses, one requires a bachelor’s degree in Ayurveda or equivalent discipline.
For diploma courses, students are required to complete 10+2 in any relevant stream with a minimum of 50% aggregate from a recognised university.
Only professionals who acquire the degree of BAMS, MD, MS in Ayurveda get the title ‘Dr’.
Top Ayurveda Colleges
National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur
Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (RAV), New Delhi
North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and homoeopathy (NEIAH), Shillong
Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda.Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar
Institute of Medical Sciences Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
JB Roy State Medical College, Kolkata
All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi
Shri Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Nagpur
Scope
An Ayurvedic practitioner can work in government or private Ayurvedic hospitals, Ayurveda speciality centres, Ayurvedic pharmaceuticals, National Rural Health Mission campaigns, Panchakarma Ashram, Ayurvedic spa centres, health resorts and other similar places. A practitioner may also choose to start his own practice or pursue a career in academics or research (after completing postgraduation).
Job Profiles
Job Profiles
Description
Ayurvedic Doctor
An Ayurvedic Doctor is an excellent career option. The work includes examining patients by interrogation, looking after the physical condition of the patients, diagnosing patients via ailments and prescribing medicines, etc.
Ayurvedic Health And Wellness Professional
The professional focuses on preventive healthcare by means of specific diets and lifestyles based on Ayurvedic guidelines. He is also responsible for examining diseases and suggesting Ayurvedic medicines and treatments cure patients’ problems.
Healing Therapist
Ayurvedic Therapists use their expertise in a lifestyle intervention and natural Ayurveda therapies to guide clients on ways to prevent ailments and promote health, anti-ageing and healing of body and soul. They specialize in understanding and guiding the basic Ayurveda principles, working of yoga, medication, food and nutrition, rejuvenation therapies, and Panchakarma, among others. Demand for these professionals is widely increasing.
Clinical Researcher
The work of a clinical researcher may include validating and developing formulations for disease/clinical conditions such as obesity and peptic ulcer and collaborating with reputed institutes in certain areas for improving the quality of life in cancer patients, mental retardation, geriatric health, etc. One may also join as junior research fellows on research projects conducted by various institutions.
Academician
An ayurvedic graduate can work as an academician as well and teach undergraduate and postgraduate students in Ayurveda colleges and can actively participate in curriculum development and student involvement as well.
Skills Required
Interest in indigenous forms of medicine
Thinking and listening skills
Patience
Observation skills
Interest in curative properties of herbs
Empathy
Dedication
Physical and mental fitness
Assimilation and interpretation
Expected salary and remuneration
Job Profiles
Average Salary
Ayurvedic Doctor
Rs. 6,00,000 p.a.
Healing Therapist
Rs. 3,00,000 p.a.
Clinical Researcher
Rs. 6,24,000 p.a.
Academician
Rs. 5,80,000 p.a.
Source: Getmyuni
Top entities hiring for this job
Patanjali Ayurved Limited
The Himalaya Drug Company
Hamdard Laboratories
Surya Herbal Limited
Vicco Laboratories
Career in Unani
Unani works on the principle that a body has its own self-healing power which needs to be boosted. Unani medicine provides safe and cost-effective treatments with minimal side effects. In fact, some diseases are known to be treated exclusively by the Unani medical treatment. Due to these reasons, there is an opportunity for high career growth in the field. The practice involves a lot of hard work but is highly satisfying. Moreover, the salary of Unani doctors is mostly similar to the other forms of medical practice. There are other career options to explore in this field as well.
Educational Qualifications Required
Several UG, PG and diploma courses that can be pursued by interested students are given below:
Course Name
Duration
Eligibility exam
BUMS- Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery
5.5 years (Including 1 year internship)
NEET UG or entrance of respective university
MD- Unani
3 years
AIAPGET
MS- Unani
3 years
AIAPGET
PG Diploma Course in Unani Medicine
2 years
AIAPGET
Note:
For pursuing BUMS, students are required to qualify 10+2 or equivalent in PCB with 50% marks with Urdu, Arabic or Persian at High school level as an optional subject. Alternatively, students must have passed the 10+2 examination in the Urdu Language from a University, Board or any registered society approved by the Government of India.
For pursuing MD or MS in Unani, the qualification required is at least 60% marks from any institution approved by the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM).
The postgraduate courses are offered in 14 different specialities.
For pursuing a PG diploma course, students must have a postgraduate degree in Unani Medicine awarded by a College/University recognized by CCIM, in the concerned speciality.
To practice as an Unani doctor, it is mandatory to have an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree from a recognized university in India.
Top Unani colleges
HMS Unani Medical College, Tumkur
Rajasthan Unani Medical College, Jaipur
Ahmad Garib Unani Medical College & Assalam Hospital, Nandurbar
Ajmal Khan Tibbia College, Aligarh
Al-Farooque Unani Tibbia College, Indore
Nizamia Tibbi College, Hyderabad
Tibbi College, Patna
The National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM), Bangalore
Scope
An Unani practitioner can work in a private or government Unani hospital, state-run dispensaries, nursing homes, Unani pharmacies and health centres. He can also indulge with companies dealing with the Unani preparations or work in research centres or as an academician in universities. Moreover, in certain states like Uttar Pradesh, there is a provision for 3rd Medical Officer for Unani doctors in Primary Health Centres (PHCs). At last, self-employment is always an option.
Job profile
Job Profiles
Description
Hakeem
Hakeem is a doctor who treats his patients by performing treatments for all major diseases. He also performs surgeries according to Unani Medicine rules.
Unani Institute Lecturer
Unani Institute Lecturer teaches various Unani Medicine Practices to the students of the various Unani Medicine Institutes.
Unani Consultant
Unani Consultant gives health and medication advice to various people and solves health-related problems by following Unani rules and processes.
Unani Therapist
An Unani Therapist takes people’s whole personalities into account and employs certain techniques to provide them with Unani therapy services. He can either do private practice or can be recruited by hospitals.
Skills Required
Patience
Concentration
Self-motivation,
Emotional stability
Analytical skills
Time management
Ability to learn
Research Skills
Diagnostic skills
Expected salary and remuneration
Job Profiles
Average Salary
Hakeem
Rs. 3,50,000 p.a.
Unani Institute Lecturer
Rs. 4,50,000 p.a.
Unani Consultant
Rs. 3,00,000 p.a.
Unani Therapist
Rs. 2,50,000 p.a.
Source: Embibe
Top entities hiring for this job
Majeedia Unani Hospital - Jamia Hamdard
Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College
Niamath Unani Hospital
Hashmi Unani Pharmacy
Central Council For Research In Unani Medicine
Career In Homoeopathy
Homoeopathy Courses are the branch of medicine studies that deals with eliminating the cause of an illness rather than suppressing it. A career in this field can be a great option since the earnings is good, demand for such professionals is increasing and one also gets to explore various opportunities in the associated areas. Moreover, with relevant educational qualifications and experience, a homoeopathy practitioner can even open his own pharmacy.
Educational Qualifications Required
There are several homoeopathy courses available for medical students at UG, PG and diploma levels. Aspirants can also choose to specialize post the completion of the UG course. Relevant courses are listed below:
Name of the Course
Duration
Eligibility Exam
Average Course Fees
BHMS- Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery
5.5 years
NEET UG or entrance exams of respective universities
Rs. 40,000-1,10,000
MD in Homoeopathy
3 years
AIAPGET or Entrance exam of respective university (wherever required)
Rs. 40,000
Diploma in Electro-homoeopathy
3 years
Entrance exam of respective university (wherever required)
Upto Rs. 1,00,000
Diploma in Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (DHMS)
4 years
Rs. 80,000
Diploma in Homoeopathy Pharmacy
2 years
Rs. 1,08,000
Source: Collegedunia, Inctu
Note:
For pursuing BHMS, apart from the entrance exam, students have to secure 50% marks in 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English as the compulsory subjects from a recognized university.
The merit of class 10+2 in the science stream is taken into consideration for admission in diploma homoeopathy courses.
For pursuing MD, students must have passed the graduation (BHMS degree) in a relevant discipline from a recognized board/ university.
Top Homoeopathy Colleges
The National University of Homoeopathy, Calcutta
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi
University of Health Science, Vijayawada
Armed Forces Medical College, Pune
Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore
Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore
National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health (NHRIMH), Kerala
North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and homoeopathy (NEIAH), Shillong
Patna Medical College, Patna
Nehru Homeopathic Medical College & Hospital, New Delhi
Scope
A homoeopathy practitioner can work at various private and government homoeopathy hospitals or dispensaries, industries engaged in homoeopathic preparations or in colleges as a professor. One can also start his own clinic or work as a researcher. A BHMS holder can open his own pharmacy as well after gaining substantial years of work experience.
Job profiles
Job Profiles
Description
Pharmacist
A pharmacist owns a pharmacy and reads and interprets a doctor’s prescribed medicines. They are also capable of detecting therapeutic incompatibilities.
Public Health Specialist
They are specially trained professionals who have to ensure that the conditions are suitable enough to keep the general public health in good condition.
Private Practitioner
Their job role is to offer private services to their patients related to health, mental issues, and related issues.
General Physician
Physicians test and check patients, take their medical histories, prescribe medications, and suggest medical tests.
Lecturer
A lecturer teaches undergraduate and postgraduate level students in areas relating to homoeopathy allocated by and reviewed from time to time by the Head of the Department.
Skills Required
Time management
Diagnosis skills
Service Orientation
Critical thinking and problem solving
Sincerity and self-confidence
Ability to learn
Listening skills
Empathy
Ability to work under pressure
Analytical skills
Great communication skills
Expected salary and remuneration
Job Profiles
Average Salary
Pharmacist
Rs. 3,00,000 p.a.
Public Health Specialist
Rs. 6,00,000 p.a.
Private Practitioner
Rs. 500000 p.a.
General Physician
Rs. 400000 p.a.
Lecturer
Rs. 400000 to 700000 p.a.
Source: Collegedunia, Embibe
Top entities hiring for this job
Aditya Homeopathic Hospital and Healing Center, Pune
SD Homoeopathy Clinic, Delhi
Health Homoeopathy Center, Pune
Pushpveda Homoeopathic Treatment and Research Centre
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital