By: Dr Iynan Zehra Haroon
For decades, Unani medicine has been at the forefront of healthcare delivery in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the Kashmir Valley. Long before the concept of “AYUSH” gained currency in health policy, Unani practitioners were the primary face of traditional medicine here. Their tireless service not only brought credibility to Unani itself but also paved the way for the acceptance and integration of other AYUSH systems such as Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Siddha, and Yoga.
It is therefore a matter of grave concern that Unani doctors are now being systematically sidelined in recruitment processes, including the recent JKPSC Medical Officer posts and positions in newly established integrated AYUSH hospitals.
A Syncretic Tradition, Not a Sectarian Invention Unani medicine is often misunderstood as belonging to one community alone. In truth, it is a universal and syncretic tradition. Its roots reach back to ancient Greece, where Hippocrates and Galen laid its foundations in rational, evidence-based practice. This knowledge then traveled through Persia, was refined by Arab physicians, and matured into a sophisticated system in India over centuries. In South Asia, Unani medicine has been practiced by physicians and Hakims of all denominations, who enriched it with local experience and cultural wisdom.
Unani’s Pioneering Role in Popularizing AYUSH In Jammu and Kashmir, Unani was not just another alternative system—it was the main representative of traditional healthcare. Its regimental therapies, including cupping, massage, leech therapy, and diet-based interventions, gained immense popularity across rural and urban communities alike. When the concept of AYUSH was formally introduced into policy and institutional structures, it was Unani doctors who carried it forward on the groun.
Under the National Health Mission (NHM) and AYUSH programs, Unani physicians have served relentlessly in far-flung and underserved areas. Whether in primary health centers or secondary care facilities, they have delivered affordable, culturally attuned healthcare to countless patients who otherwise had limited options. The growing public trust in AYUSH here is largely attributable to Unani’s longstanding presence and its record of efficacy.
A Crisis of Recognition and Employment Despite this legacy, recent policy decisions and recruitment notifications have marginalized Unani medicine in favor of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy. No serious effort has been made to allocate posts equitably or to ensure that Unani graduates are proportionally represented. This neglect comes at a time when thousands of Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS) graduates across Jammu and Kashmir remain unemployed, and hundreds of MD Unani specialists—who have invested years in rigorous postgraduate training—are underemployed or forced into unrelated work.
This is not just an employment crisis. It is also a blow to the health system itself, which risks losing skilled practitioners whose contributions have been proven over generations.
A Call for Equitable Policy Across India, states such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Telangana have made space for Unani doctors in government healthcare delivery. They recognize the value of pluralistic systems working side by side. Jammu and Kashmir, with its rich cultural history and centuries-long embrace of Unani, must not regress into exclusionary policies.
We therefore appeal to the policymakers, the Department of AYUSH, and the Lieutenant Governor’s administration:
* Acknowledge Unani medicine’s central role in building trust in AYUSH
* Ensure equitable recruitment and representation in health services and institutions.
* Protect this shared heritage that belongs to all communities of Jammu and Kashmir.
The contributions of Unani doctors are part of our collective story. Their marginalization is not just professionally unjust—it is a disservice to patients and to the diverse traditions that define our region. Jammu and Kashmir has always been a meeting ground of civilizations.
Let our health policy reflect that proud history, not erase it.
The writer is Researcher in Unani Medicine, and the views expressed here are not representative of the organisation she is working for.
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