Ayurvedic gaining global popularity for efficacy: Sham

           Jammu, October 24 (Scoop News)-Minister for Health, Horticulture and Floriculture, . Sham Lal Sharma has called for promoting the AYUSH in big way considering the significant results of centuries old Unani and   Indian System of Medicines (ISM). He said that the ISM is getting focused attention of the government agencies and efforts are a foot to promote its benefits among the people.

            The Minister was speaking at a   function organized in connection with the Lord Dhanwantri Jayanti celebrations here today at Government Ayurvedic Hospital Jammu. The function was organized by the Directorate of Indian System of Medicine, Jammu.

            . Sham said that the Ayurvedic System of Medicines is gaining global popularity for its non toxic effects and meticulously oriented results. He described Lord Dhanwantari as symbol of selfless service to humanity with the knowledge of ayurveda which come into existence after churning of ocean of wisdom prevailing thousand of year ago in India. On this day he appealed the people to work collectively for heralding peace and tranquility in the state

            . Sham said that Jammu and Kashmir State being a tourist destination, can effectively promote the AYUSH and in this regard the government was contemplating to establish AYUSH Spas at different places across the state. He said this is being done  to promote health tourism. He said about one crore pilgrims perform annual yatra of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and 8 lakh pilgrims come to Shri Amarnathji Yatra every year and these two destinations are fit for establishing these facilities.

            Maintaining that Jammu and Kashmir State has huge potential for herbal cultivation owing to its diverse climatic conditions, the Minister said that efforts will be made to encourage more and more people especially youth to take up this type of cultivation.   He said that Central Government was very keen to strengthen the AYUSH in the State for which it has sanctioned one Unani College for Kashmir and an Ayurvedic College for Jammu. He said the infrastructural facilities have already been created for the twin colleges, including the appointment of the staff.

            Giving a resume of activities being taken up under ISM, . Sham said that at present one full fledged hospital, 425 ayurvedic dispensaries are providing medicare facilities to the people of the state. He said recently the department has completed the execution of ISM Pharmacy Complex and Drug testing laboratory at Jammu at the cost of Rs. One crore each. The work on two colleges, one Unani Medical College at Srinagar and Ayurvedic College at Jammu is going to be undertaken very soon. He said    the department was also contemplating to set up AYUSH units in Government Medical College hospitals of Jammu and Srinagar and all the district hospital of the State.

            The Director ISM, Dr. Abdul Kabir said that Rs.60 lakh   provided to the department under NABARD was being utilized for construction of ISM Dispensaries in the State.

            Among others, Director Health Services, Jammu, Dr. Madhu Khullar, Director Horticulture, . J. L. Sharma, Director Floriculture, . K. K. Sharma, Drug Controller of Food Commissioner, . Satish Gupta, Deputy Director ISM, . K. S. Manhas, Deputy Director Information (PR), . Suram C. Sharma, CMO Jammu, doctors and paramedical staff, Districts officers and retired officers/officials of the ISM department were also present on the occasion.