Mangaluru: A uniform Ayurveda policy and an AYUSH University in all the states will set a strong foundation for an extensive research and development of alternative medicines in India, Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T Khader said here on Saturday.
He was speaking at Ayush Utsav, a two-day meet of Ayush practitioners organized 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) in the city.
The minister said, “If there is no standard policy or a university dedicated to alternative forms of medicine, foreign researchers will continue to patent our indigenous products at will”, he said.
AYUSH, which has contributed to the prevention of diseases should be popularized by everyone, the minister said.
Emphasising on the confidence building measures in patients towards alternative medicines, he cited that example of Dr. Rudresh who was synonymous for Home of herbal plants in the Western Ghats, the department had focused on raising a medicinal garden in each district, district-in charge minister B Ramanaht Rai said.
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 legalized in India. However, the Ayush has failed to reach out to the common man. It is only catering to the needs of the elite class.
“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.
MLAs JR Lobo, Moideen Bava, Shakuntala Shetty, MCC Mayor Mahabal Marla, Ayush director Vijay Kumar Gogi and deputy commissioner A.B Ibrahim were also repsent.
