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New minister sought for Indian medicine systems, PM may comply

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today hinted at the possibility of appointing a minister and increasing the budget allocation for the Indian systems of medicine, including ayurveda.

Inaugurating the 55th plenary session of the All India Ayurveda Congress here, Vajpayee assured all support of the government for promotion of traditional systems of medicines.

He admitted that the Indian systems of medicine including ayurveda, had not been accorded due recognition by the BJP government and this had impinged on his conscience. This, he said, would be converted into an action plan.

While assuring that ayurveda has a bright future, he said he would soon call a meeting with a delegation of ayurveda practitioners to find a solution to problems afflicting the ancient system of medicine. He said from the government side the health minister would be present and another minister, if necessary.

He said he would take prompt action to fill up all the vacancies in the department of Indian systems of medicines and various ayurvedic universities. Vajpayee was replying to the points raised by various speakers that non-filling of many vacancies, including the post of director, Indian Systems of Medicine, was affecting the functioning of the department and work relating to pharmacoepia and standardisation of drugs.

The prime minister asserted that without promotion of Indian systems of medicines, the goal of 'health for all' could not be achieved. He lauded the role of about 5,000 ayurvedic practitioners working in rural areas.

He underscored the need to protect herbs and develop medicinal plants and declared that ayurveda has a bright future.

Vajpayee, however, advised the ayurvedic practitioners not to depend fully on the government which could only provide a supportive hand. They, on their part, should work to strengthen the system.

He praised pulse diagnosis in ayurveda which sometime had a clear advantage over detailed investigations in the modern system of medicine, allopathy.

While clarifying that he was not against the modern system of medicine, he said ayurveda goes to the root cause of the disease. He said prosperity of a country depends on the health of the people.

Vajpayee had a dig at ayurvedic practitioners saying they also liked to be called doctors rather than vaidyas. This was due to the probably predominent influence of the allopathic system of medicine.

Human Resource Development Minister Dr Murli Manohar Joshi cautioned against wide-scale smuggling of herbs and said herbs worth Rs 40 million had been stolen recently.

He asked the ayurvedic practitioners to make themselves familiar with the new patent laws.

Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma said his government was committed to promotion of Indian systems of medicine and had taken various steps in this direction.

Shanta Shastri, secretary, Indian Systems of Medicine, favoured a separate ministry to provide impetus to it.

She regretted that the budgetary allocation for the department was inadequate and to the tune of only Rs 500 million. She said there was only one ayurvedic laboratory and therefore there was need for establishing more.

Emphasising the need for developing pure medicines she said these required pure raw material and for this some steps were required to be taken.

She also called for more research in the field and standarisation of drugs to improve the efficacy of the system.

Vaidya Devendra Triguna, new president of the Ayurveda Congress, demanded 20 per cent allocation from the Union health budget for ISM. He also demanded that a minister of state be appointed for ISM, saying that in Sri Lanka there was a full-fledged minister for ayurveda.

This system which originated in India had received inadequate attention of the government, he said.

He said ayurveda was spreading fast in many countries in Europe and other continents and the government should formulate policies to encourage export and steps to increase production for domestic use.

Refering to the patenting of many medicinal plants like shvagandha, tulsi, and haldi by America, he urged the government to review its policy on patents.

Renowned Vaidya Brahaspati Dev Triguna said the vaidya community should learn to stand on their own feet by developing self-confidence.

He said dreaded diseases like AIDS, diabetes, encephalitis and cancers were being successfully treated by ayurveda.

The conference honoured several vaidyas for their outstanding contribution to promotion of ayurveda.

UNI

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