Indian Health Minister announces Ayurveda, Unani colleges in J&K

     Jammu, December 23 (Vijay Kumar) –  Indian Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wedenesday announced two colleges one each of Unani and Ayurveda for Kashmir and Jammu divisions. He said a Unani College in Kashmir and an Ayurveda College for Jammu has been sanctioned by the Union Health Ministry. He said the work on the construction of building complexes for the duo colleges would be started soon as the state government earmarks and identifies land for the purpose. He said some 30 years back these colleges which existed in the state were closed. He also said that Union Cabinet has approved the Ladakhi treatment of ailments known as AMCHI and this will also be included in AYUSH.

Addressing a function after the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, and J&K Chief Minister jointly inaugurated the building complex of Ayurveda Regional Research Institute in Jammu, Ghulam Nabi Azad said during the current 11th Five Year Plan Union government has earmarked Rs.4000 crores for the development of AYUSH in the country. He said there are seven lakh registered practitioner of AYUSH in the country while as the number of hospitals is 300 and the number of AYUSH colleges is 450. He said more than 30,000 graduate and post graduate students pass out from these institutions yearly. He said the number of AYUSH dispensaries in the country is 21000 while as the number of these is 590 in Jammu and Kashmir besides 82 AMCHI (Ladakhi Herbal Treatment) centres in Ladakh. He said there are over 4000 registered practitioner in AYUSH in the state.

Azad said that in European countries and America crores of ruppes are being spent on AYUSH research seeking support from the experts from India. He said AYUSH has not now remained confined to the Indian borders but is fastly becoming a global phenomenon of alternate treatment. Assuring all help from centre to the state government led by  Omar, the Union Health Minister said that the Ayurveda Regional Research Institute will provide free OPD facility to the patients besides free medicines. He said this centre will also become an important Research Centre for the entire country.

Speaking on the occasion, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdulla said that his government is concentrating on expansion and improvement of health sector to ensure befitting medical facilities across the state covering every area. He said that government has sanctioned 5,500 posts in health sector to augment and improve medicare in hospitals. “We are working on a multi-pronged strategy of consolidation, modernization and upgradation of health institutions in the state”, he said adding that growth and expansion of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) is receiving due attention.

           Omar said that his government is concentrating on expansion and improvement of health sector to ensure befitting medical facilities across the state covering every area.

“We have formulated a comprehensive policy to catapult the health sector to number one position in the country”, he said and sought the help of Union Health Minister in this regard. He said that the building infrastructure programme kick started by  Azad in health sector in the state is being consolidated and completed. “The health institutions are being provided with necessary equipment and manpower to ensure the quality treatment facility to the people”.

            The Chief Minister said that Ayurveda and Unani treatment for various ailments has remained popular in the state for a long time adding that Ayurveda in Jammu and Unani in Kashmir have lived as trusted medicare disciplines among the people. “Presently AYUSH is gaining ground globally and people in Europe, America and other countries are greatly attracted to the alternate methods of treatment for different ailments for which allopathic treatment has not made any remarkable dent. He said the government in Jammu and Kashmir is giving due attention to the growth and development of this sector and separate directorate is functioning in this field.

 .  Deputy Chief Minister,  Tara Chand in his speech said that under the dynamic and young leadership of Chief Minister,  Omar Abdullah, the state is marching ahead on road to progress with commitment and determination. He thanked the Union Health Minister for extending all support to Jammu and Kashmir. “Whenever you were Minister in the centre, you gave special treatment to the development of Jammu and Kashmir”, he said and expressed hope that  Azad will continue to lend his support to the state.

             Tara Chand also lauded the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson, s. Sonia Gandhi for their keen interest in the state’s all round development. He said the centrally sponsored schemes especially JNNURM           sanctioned for Jammu and Kashmir during the tenure of  Azad as Union Housing Minister is proving an important flagship programme for the development of cities and towns in the state.

            The Minister for Health,  Sham Lal Sharma and Minister for Medical Education,  R. S. Chib speaking on the occasion underlined the importance of AYUSH in the present health care scenario adding that the Indian System of Medicine is getting popular not only within the country but abroad too. They gave resume of the plans and programmes of the state government for upgradation and growth of health sector with special reference to AYUSH.

            Among others, the Minister for Education, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Minister for R&B,  G. M. Saroori, Minister of State for Cooperatives,  Manohar Lal Minister for State for Health,  Javaid Ahmed Dar, Minister of State for Power,  Shabir Ahmed Khan, Political Advisor to Chief Minister,  Devender Singh Rana, Member Parliament,  Madan Lal Sharma, MLC,  Abdul Gani Vakil and Union Secretary AYUSH, Ms. S. Jaleja were present on the occasion.

            Director, ISM, Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Abdul Kabir Dar giving details of the project said that the complex has been completed at a cost of over Rs. 4.35 crore while as its furnishing has cost another Rs. 1 crore. He said there will be 30 bedded indoor hospital attached with the Research Institute patients would be also receiving treatment from OPD section.

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