Background information

Ayurvedic medicine is widely practised in Bangladesh.

Regulatory situation

When Bangladesh constituted the eastern part of Pakistan, the Pakistani Board of Unani and Ayurvedic Systems of Medicine was operative in the country. Following independence, the Bangladesh Unani and Ayurvedic Practitioners Ordinance of 1972 restructured this body as the Board of Unani and Ayurvedic Systems of Medicine, Bangladesh (184). The Board is responsible for maintaining educational standards at teaching institutions, arranging for the registration of duly qualified persons (including appointing a registrar), and arranging for the standardization of unani and ayurvedic systems of medicine. A research institute has been functioning under the Board since 1976.

The Bangladesh Unani and Ayurvedic Practitioners Ordinance of 1983 (185) prohibits the practice of unani and ayurvedic systems of medicine by unregistered persons. A significant feature of the Ordinance is the deliberate omission of a provision contained in preceding legislation that made it an offence for an ayurvedic or unani practitioner to sign birth, medical, and physical-fitness certificates.

Education and training

Control over the teaching of unani and ayurvedic medicine rests with the Board of Unani and Ayurvedic Systems of Medicine (186). There are nine teaching institutions under the Board, five for unani medicine and four for ayurvedic medicine. They offer diplomas upon completion of a four-year programme. The Registrar of the Board also serves as the Controller of Examinations.