As IJME enters its 30th year, our Founder Editor, Dr Sunil K Pandya, looks back in an editorial on its fragile beginnings and the struggles which have gained it a wider influence at national and global levels. This was sustained only with the active support of the journal’s founders, authors, reviewers, editors and readers. Whether healthcare has become more ethical is moot, but making patients more aware of their rights, and healthcare personnel of their responsibilities and rights, is a step towards that.
This is a Theme issue on the contested subject of ‘modern medicine’ engaging with the AYUSH medical systems for scientific collaboration, and delivery of quality healthcare. Two articles critically examine the historical and philosophical bases of Ayurveda’s evolution, another critiques the distorted version peddled during the pandemic. A comment notes the ethical principles laid down in a 10th century Unani text, and an author studies the unplanned promotion of homoeopathy colleges in an Indian state, heedless of the impact on patients or doctors. Mixed practice of different health systems in mental healthcare is the focus of the final Theme paper.
Can countries in the global North and South contribute to each other’s pandemic efforts, in spite of unequal resources? Three authors explore this topic while two others share personal stories of working during the pandemic. All this and more is in store in this packed issue.
We wish our readers, authors, and reviewers a happy, safe and fulfilling New Year!
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Cover credit: Bramante staircase – Vatican, courtesy of Sundeep Kumar