Time to reinvent Ayush medicine: Union minister of state, MoA

Jan 02,2024

Madurai: The usefulness of Ayush had come to the fore during the pandemic and there is a need to reinvent the traditional medicine systems to fight diseases more effectively, said Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai, the Union minister of state for ministry of Ayush and women and child development.

Speaking at the seventh Siddha Day in Madurai on Saturday, the minister said, “During the Covid-19 pandemic, it was established that the Ayush system could help fighting diseases. Siddha also played a major role during the time. There is a need to reinvent the use of the traditional Ayush system. Interdisciplinary studies can establish more effective treatment to fight diseases.”

The minister also reiterated that the Union government has been prioritising the Ayush medical system. “The NIS (National Institute of Siddha) has academic programmes ranging from UG to PhD for students to become Siddha doctors.”

The event was organised under the theme, ‘Ancient Wisdom and Modern Solutions’, by the ministry of Ayush, along with NIS and Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS). Siddha Day is celebrated annually on the star birthday of Sage Agathiyar, who is considered to be the founder of the medicine system.

Earlier, Mythili K Rajendran, commissioner of Directorate of Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy, Tamil Nadu, highlighted that of the 12,500 Ayush wellness centres that are being established across the country under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, 650 centres will come up in Tamil Nadu.

Source: Pharma