Minister favours integrating all systems of medicine to help sick

Minister for Health and Family Welfare U T Khader has said that the Central government should frame a policy on integrating all systems of medicine  for providing effective relief to those suffering from diseases.

Speaking at Ayush Utsav, a two-day meet of Ayush practitioners organised by the department of Ayush, KAUP Board, Karnataka Homeopathy Board, National Integrated Medical Association, Karnataka Govt Ayush Medical officers Association(KGAMOA) and Karnataka chapter of Ayush Federation of India (AFI) here on Saturday, he said that best of ayurveda, homoeopathy, siddha and other alternative Indian medicines should be encouraged and integrated with allopathic medicine to make treatment effective.

“Ayurveda and other traditional methods could be extremely effective as preventative measures and should be integrated into the mainstream medicine systems. With the policy, uniform system can be followed across the country,” he said.

Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) should recommend to the Central government to establish Ayush University in each State, to carry out research in the field. Karnataka state government is committed to start an Ayush University next year, the Minister announced.

He said that the focus should be on rolling out disease prevention programmes rather than setting up more and more hospitals. Chief Minister had announced setting up of Ayush hospital in one taluk in each district. Accordingly, the work on Ayush hospital in Ullal of Mangaluru taluk has commenced. Ayurvedic doctor will be recruited to each Primary Health Centre to promote the system of medicine.

The Minister said that through KPSC , the State government will recruit 583 Ayurvedic doctors. Those who are working in government sector on contract basis are likley to be absorbed. The Ayurveda practitioners should mandatorily follow Ayurvedic system of medicine to gain confidence of the patients.

He said that farmers should be encouraged to grow medicinal plants instead of tobacco.
Minister for Forests and Ecology Ramanath Rai said that the forest department has decided to set up herbal garden in the name of Deyi Baidedi, mother of Koti Chennaiah at Padumale. There is a need to conserve medicinal plants in Western Ghats. Change in life style and exercise will help in maintaining good health.

CCIM President Dr Vanitha Murali Kumar said that the biggest strength of Ayush is that it is legalised in India. However, the Ayush has failed to reach out the commonman. It is catering to the needs of the elite class.

There is a need to create awareness on Ayush. 

“The Central Council of Indian Medicine had formulated a nine-month bridge course in allopathy to train practitioners of Indian systems of medicine in prescribing essential allopathy drugs at primary healthcare level.  "This bridge course is not intended for private practice, but it is only for rural health service of the government.

The course is for those Indian System of Medicine graduates, who want to join rural service,” she added.

The State government can apply to the Centre seeking funds under National Ayush Mission to set up Ayush University and CCIM will extend its support,” she added.
 DH News Service