Harsh Vardhan says he wants to keep healthcare free of politics

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said on Sunday that he would not let politics between the Centre and the State come in the way of providing healthcare.

The minister was speaking to reporters after inaugurating the yoga research laboratory at the Swamy Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (S-Vyasa) in the City.

“Be it with respect to release of funds or communication, we will make sure there is no politics,” he said.

He said that the Indian systems of medicine lacked evidence-based research. “Enough funds have been granted for these systems. Now we will focus on strengthening them,” he added.

The Anvesana research laboratories of S-Vyasa have been set up with a grant of Rs five crore provided by the State government. Speaking at the inauguration, Dr Manjunath Sharma, joint director, Research and Development, S-Vyasa University, said that the existing facilities were upgraded to improve research.

N Sivasailam, principal secretary, Department of Health, Ayush director Vijaykumar Gogi and Nimhans director Dr Satish Chandra were  present. A book on obesity authored by Dr Nagarathna and Dr H R Nagendra from the university and the official website of the institute were launched.