Sharma, Priyam.

From medical pluralism to medical marginality: Changing dynamics within unani system of medicine - Sociological Bulletin - 69(2), Aug, 2020: p.234-251

The concept of medical marginality operates as a framework to differentiate between medical practice that is sanctioned and regulated by the state (Allopathic medicine or the Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy—(AYUSH) and that which is not regulated by the state. In Indian context, medical systems under the acronym of AYUSH have been given legitimate position and included in the health service sector. By using Hardiman and Mukharji’s concept of ‘medical marginality’ in a different way, the article attempts to study how one system of medicine is marginalised even within the institutionalised framework. It aims to understand the situation of Unani system of medicine with respect to other alternative medicines as enshrined in the concept of AYUSH along with the Allopathic system. In the process of doing so, the present research, through an ethnographic study, takes Unani hospital as a case in point to analyse the position of Unani system of medicine within the larger realm of healthcare. - Reproduced


Medical pluralism, Medical marginality, AYUSH, Unani system of medicine

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