The Liver Doc Seeks Revocation of Yanung Jamoh Lego's Padma Shri
Kochi, June 30:
A public controversy has surfaced after renowned hepatologist and medical science communicator Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, popularly known as "The Liver Doc," urged the Government of India to revoke the Padma Shri awarded to Arunachal Pradesh herbalist Yanung Jamoh Lego. The appeal follows his allegation that the official Padma Shri citation contains unverified therapeutic claims that are inconsistent with Indian law governing medical advertisements.
In a series of posts on social media, Dr. Philips appealed to the President of India and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to withdraw the country's fourth-highest civilian honour from Lego. He argued that the Padma Shri citation attributes claims of treating or curing serious illnesses including cancer, diabetes, hypertension and several other life-threatening diseases, through herbal medicine without scientific evidence.
The controversy centres on the official Padma Shri citation, which states that Yanung Jamoh Lego has helped more than 10,000 patients suffering from life-threatening illnesses and has treated over three lakh patients during nearly three decades of herbal practice.
The citation further mentions patients suffering from various forms of cancer, diabetes, hypertension, epilepsy, asthma, thyroid disorders, infertility and several other chronic ailments, stating that they were treated through traditional herbal medicine.
Dr. Philips contends that such claims are inconsistent with the provisions of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, which prohibits advertisements claiming cures for certain specified diseases. He has urged the government to investigate the claims contained in the citation and has questioned whether such statements should appear in an official government document associated with one of India's highest civilian honours.
In his appeal, Dr. Philips also claimed that Yanung Jamoh Lego's social media accounts have been withheld in India following legal demands related to the health claims allegedly promoted through those platforms. He further maintained that preserving the credibility and sanctity of national civilian awards requires scrutiny of any unsupported medical claims included in official citations.
Yanung Jamoh Lego, a retired Agriculture Department officer from East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, was conferred the Padma Shri in 2024 for her contributions to traditional herbal medicine and the preservation of indigenous healing practices. Widely known as the "Queen of Herbs," she has gained recognition for promoting Adi herbal knowledge, medicinal plant conservation and traditional healing practices across the Northeast.
Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips is an Indian hepatologist (liver specialist), clinician-scientist and public health advocate, widely known as "The Liver Doc." Based in Kochi, Kerala, he serves as Senior Consultant in Clinical and Translational Hepatology at Rajagiri Hospital.
He has gained national prominence through his evidence-based campaigns against medical misinformation, unregulated traditional and herbal remedies lacking scientific validation, and alcohol-related health risks. His work has made him one of India's most influential and often polarising, voices on public health and scientific medicine.
As of the time of publication, neither Yanung Jamoh Lego nor the Government of India has issued an official response to Dr. Philips' appeal.
Editor's Note: This report covers a public appeal made by Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips. Hornbill News has not independently verified the medical claims referenced in the Padma Shri citation or the allegations raised by Dr. Philips. The matter remains under public discussion, and no findings have been issued by the competent authorities.
