polio-free certification by AYUSH

WHO's polio-free certification high point in health sector
By PTI | 25 Dec, 2014, 10.53AM IST

Eradication of polio from India was a high point in the health sector during 2014 which also saw some improvement in the country's health indices.

NEW DELHI: Eradication of polio from India was a high point in the health sector during 2014 which also saw some improvement in the country's health indices like maternal and infant mortality rate though there was a lot of ground to be covered.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision in November to change Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, a practicing doctor and a former health minister of Delhi, surprised many.

His replacement J P Nadda is considered a close aide of Modi and has been rather low key compared to Vardhan's penchant for almost daily statements.

Nadda is busy giving final touches to the NDA government's ambitious National Health Assurance Mission, which aims to provide free health insurance to the poor. It is likely to be rolled out next year.

There were mixed signals from the new government against the use of tobacco as after hiking cigarette prices it did not enforce its earlier proposal to ban sale of loose cigarettes and make tougher anti-smoking laws.

As Congress-led UPA was swept out of power by the BJP-led NDA, the saffron party's favourite health projects like promotion of ayurveda and yoga received official push. Government cleared National Ayush Mission (NAM) to address gaps in health services in vulnerable and far-flung areas of the country.

Through ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddha and homoeopathy (Ayush) mission, the Centre seeks to support the efforts of state governments for providing Ayush health services and education in the country, particularly in vulnerable and remote areas.

Government has already approved setting-up of 18 new ayurveda colleges this year, against permission for only one such institution in the past three years.

The Centre also came up with a proposal of opening AIIMS- like institutions in most states.

India's biggest recognition in the field during the year was seen in March when the World Health Organisation gave it polio-free certification for reporting nil case of the crippling disease for three years on a trot and described it as an example for others to follow.

physiotherapy and AYUSH

Indian Physiotherapists Association demands inclusion of physiotherapy in department of AYUSH
By PTI | 21 Dec, 2014, 03.22PM IST

The association has decided to send a delegation to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to put forth their request, IPA general secretary Dr Ketan Bhatikar said.

VADODARA: The Indian Physiotherapists Association has demanded inclusion of physiotherapy in the central government's department of AYUSH.

The association has decided to send a delegation to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to put forth their request, IPA general secretary Dr Ketan Bhatikar told PTI today.

A resolution to this effect was passed at a two-day national summit on physiotherapy held here which concluded last night, he said.

The inclusion of physiotherapy in Department of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) and formation of a central council for this health care profession will give an independent status to physiotherapists, at par with other medical professionals, he said.

The Department of AYUSH is a governmental body for developing education and research in ayurveda, yoga, unani, naturopathy, siddha, homoeopathy and other alternative medicine systems.

"The formation of a council will enhance the status of physiotherapy profession, as the role of physiotherapists in the delivery of health services, including investigation, treatment and prevention of disease by virtue of special skills, is paramount and they are most the critical manpower for providing preventive and curative health service," Bhatikar said.

However, due to the absence of proper laws and regulatory systems, the profession is not getting its due recognition, he said.

The council will play a major role in curbing the growth of sub-standard, unauthorised physiotherapy courses and will also ensure high quality physiotherapy care and services to the needy people, he said.

The delegates at the summit also suggested that physiotherapists be allowed to used the prefix 'doctor' as they claimed that physiotherapists are not paramedics, he added.

Nearly 1,000 physiotherapists from different parts of the country attended the summit.

Lady Ayush appeal

Lady Ayush doctor urges Naveen Patnaik to save her life
Dec 22, 2014 - Akshaya Kumar Sahoo | Bhubaneswar

Pranati Barik The Asian Age  Dec 22, 2014

A lady Ayush doctor, who served the tribals for over five years in remote and Maoist-affected villages of Nuapada district in Orissa with a monthly contractual salary of Rs 10,000, has made a fervent appeal to the chief minister Naveen Patnaik to save her life.

Pranati Barik, the 43-year-old lady doctor hailing from Puri, is suffering from severe heart ailments which require substantial amount money for advanced treatment.

According to family members of Pranati, she developed heart problem a year ago when she was posted at Timanpur in Nuapada district with. As the disease required regular treatment, she got transferred to her home district Puri and worked at Chhaitana Primary Health Centre under Gopa block.

However, she is no longer able to go to the PHC as she remains bed-ridden and survives on oxygen support.

Despite battling severe financial hardship, Pranati’s family members took her to a private hospital in Bengaluru last year where an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) was planted inside her chest. Unfortunately, that ICD has stopped working, causing serious breathing problems.

“Pranati’s family has already spend Rs 25 lakh for her treatment and they are no longer in a position to spend more money. They have sold out all their valuables,” said human rights activist Mr Akhand.

Siddha Medical Council

TRICHY: The Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical Council/ Tamil Nadu Board of Indian Medicine has urged all qualified siddha, ayurveda, unani, naturopathy and yoga practitioners to get the 2D barcoded registration certificate and identity card on or before March 31, 2015.

"The graduate medical practitioners of siddha, ayurveda, unani and naturopathy and yoga can apply with the prescribed application forms," said G Rajasekaran, registrar, Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical Council, Chennai.

The state government has been issuing registration certificates with 2D barcode since April 1, 2014 to check the prevalence of quacks.

Yet, many of the eligible Indian medicine practitioners across the state are yet get the registration certificate and ID card.

The mushrooming of quacks prompted former chief minister J Jayalalithaa in May 2013 to make an announcement in the assembly. She ordered the Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical Council/ Tamil Nadu Board of Indian Medicine to eliminate bogus certificates issued for BSMS, BAMS, BUMS and BNYS.

"The issuance of bogus registration certificates and the ID cards to the quacks previously by the council were found. The matter was taken into consideration seriously and it was decided to crack the whip on those quacks. Hence, the council rolled out the new method of issuing bar-coded registration certificate and ID card," Rajasekaran said.

He said approximately around 1,000 Indian medicine quacks might be practicing across the state and the new system would keep them at bay.

In Tamil Nadu, around 4,500 practice siddha, 1,000 ayurveda, 500 unani and 800 naturopathy and yoga. Of them, 2,000 siddha, 500 ayurvedha, 240 unani and 500 naturopathy and yoga practitioners had applied and got the new card.

The council said the practitioners should display the registration certificate in their clinic/ hospital.

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DACP for AYUSH DOCTORS

key post in AYUSH hold by IAS who not intrested in AYUSH .....Big issue

  TN IDMA to approach PMO to appoint only persons with ISM background as commissioners for ISM Depts in states
Peethaambaran Kunnathoor, Chennai
Monday, December 15, 2014, 08:00 Hrs [IST]   PharmaBiz.com


Demanding a drastic policy change in the administrative machinery of Indian Systems of Medicines in state levels, the Tamil Nadu branch of the Indian Drugs Manufacturers Association (TN IDMA) has decided to approach the Prime Minister’s office (PMO) requesting to bring in a special rule to recruit qualified and experienced persons from any branch of the Indian system of medicines to be appointed as Director/Commissioner of the ISM department in each state.

TN IDMA will also request other state units of the IDMA to represent the Union government with the same demand, besides approaching respective state governments. In Tamil Nadu, the state unit of the IDMA is linked with all the associations of the traditional medicine manufacturers and it works as an umbrella organisation.

The association has taken this significant decision in the wake of the deteriorating situation prevailing in the ISM sector in Tamil Nadu where the ISM department head is not taking any upbeat step for the industry’s growth, commented the chairman of the association. He alleged that the major reason for the apathy of the senior administrator is ignorance about traditional medicines. If a person from the same field undertakes the responsibility of the Commissioner, the situation will prosper, said M Rajaratinam, the chairman of TN IDMA.

According to him, senior level IAS officers working as directors/commissioners for ISM, are coming from different backgrounds, and they do not know much about Indian medicine industry. Also, they are not interested to work for the development of traditional medicines, but are supporters and followers of modern system. In the memorandum to the prime minister, the association will mention these points and apprise the prime minister of the existing situation in the country, especially in Tamil Nadu.

“If a person with a background of Indian medicine is posted as the commissioner/director, he will take positive steps for the growth of the industry because he knows everything about the industry, medicines and the treatments. Further, he will be capable of taking the state level problems in the industry to the central Ayush department and discuss in matters related to treatments under traditional systems. The directors/commissioners hailing from other backgrounds may not even fully know the drugs and cosmetics act/rules. Unlike other sectors in health area, the traditional and herbal medicines are a different sect which can be taken forward only by a person with full knowledge in it”, said Rajaratinam.

Moreover, the IAS officers are often tenacious in enforcing the act and rules without considering the history of the growth of traditional systems like Siddha, Ayurveda, Unani etc. He quoted the example of Tamil Nadu ISM Commissionerate where the commissioner has stopped issuing new licences and product enforcement certificates for the last several years, due to which the industry has now reached a sticky situation. This happens mainly because of commissioner’s apathy in dealing with matters and inability to find solutions for complicated problems. The central Ayush department remains as a mute spectator of this horrific situation.

Accusing lack of concern by the successive ISM commissioners as the only reason for the decline of traditional medicine sector in Tamil Nadu despite the state government spending a lot of funds towards its promotion, the chairman said the system will no longer prosper as long as the bureaucratic set up continues in the state.

“The traditional medicine sector will thrive provided the government appoints a qualified professional from the same field. It can be from the regulatory side or academia or practitioners of ISM. They are knowledgeable persons, working in the same field and interested to promote the system. Government is spending huge sum of money for the promotion of Indian medicines and research every year. But nothing fruitful is happened here, no assessment is also held. The bureaucrats assuming full power and sitting on the top is deciding everything without knowing anything about the sector which comprises the industry, academia and treatment. If a change should happen to this, people of the industry, researchers and the graduates of the Indian systems, especially those from siddha community should rise up and put a demand to the government for a policy change. The TN IDMA is ready to support them. A consortium of all associations representing traditional medicines should approach the central government for a policy change in the national level in this regard”, he opined.

Yoga compulsory for everyone

Beltanady: Yoga classes compulsory for police & armed forces, students - Union minister Sripad Naik

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Beltangady, 14 Dec 2014: Under Rural Health Commission, in collaboration with AYUSH department, yoga training centre will be established at Nagamangala. The first phase of construction already completed and second phase will be completed soon. Karnataka state government allotted 50 acres in this regard. The similar 6 yoga training centers will be established in the country in the next 5 years, said union ministry of AYUSH state minister Sripad Y Naik.

The minister Sripad was delivering valedictory address during international convention held as part of silver jubilee celebration of SDM Naturopathy and Yoga College, Ujire, here on Sunday December 14.

It was proposed to conduct compulsory yoga classes for police and armed forces, schools. Yoga got further world recognition as UNO announced to observe World Yoga Day on June 21 as per the request of PM Modi, said minister Sripad. He further said, ‘yoga and naturopathy are part and parcel of Indian culture and traditions that can enhance total well being. One can lead healthy life by shunning alcohol and smoking,’ said minister Sripad.

Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade said that government should recognize naturopathy like allopathic treatment. Yoga and naturopathy units got to be opened in all hospitals. The government should reserve 10 percent of budget to AYUSH. AYUSH units should be opened in every taluk canter. A separate government body to be formed to keep tab on yoga and naturopathy clinics, advised Dr Heggade.
The representatives John Wadal from Australia, Dr Erica from US, Dr Sharan Patil form Kollapur shared their experiences.
Rajeev Gandhi University of Health Sciences vice-chancellor Dr K S Ravindranat was present.
Beltangady MLA K Vasant Bangera presided the programme.
SDM Naturopathy and Yoga College principal Dr Prashant Shetty presented the summary of conference.
The minister Sripad felicitated Dr Heggade, Professor S Prabhakar, D Harshendra Kumar, Dr B Yasho Varma, B Sitaram Tolpadittaya, Krishna Singh D S and Dr Prashant Shetty on the same occasion.
Beltangady TP president Jayanti Paledu and Ujire gram panchayat president K Balakrishna Gowda were also present.

Ministry for Ayush a recognition of ayurveda, says Balkrishan


no side-effects: Acharya Balkrishan, vice-chancellor of Patanjali Ayurvedic University, with Dr Arun Kumar, principal of Rishikul Ayurvedic Medical College, in Haridwar on Sunday. a tribune photograph

Tribune News Service


Hariwdar, December 14
The formation of a separate ministry for ‘ayush’ by the Central Government is a laudable step as it signifies the recognition of ayurveda.

Ayurveda expert and vice-chancellor of Patanjai Ayurvedic University Balkrishan said this at the 20th annual convention of Rishikul Ayurvedic Medical College Graduate Student Council here today.

Balkrishan cited ancient proponents of ayurveda like Sushrat and Charak, who laid the foundation of the ayurvedic medical therapy thousands of years ago.

“The ayurveda therapy is far better than other medical therapies, be it acupressure, acupuncture or allopathic. It has no side effects. It is a herb based and aided with yoga asanas and eradicates ailments from its roots,” said Balkrishan, who is working on an ayurveda encyclopaedia.

Organising committee president Dr Rama Kant Sharma shed light on the Rishikul Ayurvedic College student council and said in 1995 this organisation was found with the name of Graduate Council and it had served as a bridge between college management and students.

Rishikul Ayurvedic College principal Dr Arun Kumar Tripathi said the world was now accepting the miracles of ayurveda, which India had been practising and propagating for ages.

He urged young students to work hard as the western world was opting ayurveda in place of allopathy and soon there would be a shortage of expert ayurvedic practitioners.


 By The Tribune Trust,2014 Design & Developed by: 4C Plus

national policy on allowing Ayush doctors

Ayush Doctors to get a better deal
Reshma Ravishanker, Bengaluru, Dec 07, 2014, DHNS: (DECCAN HERALD)

There would soon be standardisation of the degree course for Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (Ayush) across the country, according to Minister of State for Ayush, Shripad Yasso Naik.

In an interview with Deccan Herald at the S-VYASA University here on Saturday, Naik spoke about the measures that would be in place to strengthen the system. “The existence of quacks has been one of the biggest challenges that the industry is facing. Standardisation of degrees will address the issue,” he said.

On strengthening the industry, he said that more job opportunities would be made available in the Ayush field to ensure better pay.


“Presently, most of them with Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery degree are recruited by the Department of Health and Family Welfare. Then, the problems of less pay and administration of allopathic drugs arise. By ensuring better job opportunities, we can ensure that our doctors are better paid,” he said.

Even as the Centre has been stressing on the need to incorporate an integrated approach to strengthen the health system, there has been no clarity on the same. Naik said that the Union government would first aim at strengthening the existing system and then introduce changes.

On being asked whether integrated approach would sustain despite the existing disparities in pay between the Ayush and other streams of medicine, he said “This has been brought to my notice even during my meeting with the health minister of Karnataka U T Khader. Will look into this issue and increase pay if need be.”

Speaking about the long-standing issue of shortage of drugs, Naik said that the problem is because of shortfall of production. “We need to strengthen the existing industries and set up more of them,” he added.

Ultramodern auditorium

The minister inaugurated an ultramodern auditorium at National Institute of Unani Medicine on Kottigepalya campus during the visit.

The Setting up of the auditorium will facilitate exchange programs and academic activities at the campus.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister appreciated the students for presenting 300 research papers in Unani.

In a meeting with the Union minister, at Vikasa Soudha Minister for Health U T Khader put forth several demands including a national policy on allowing Ayush doctors prescribe allopathy drugs, expediting the process of affiliation of ayurvedic colleges, more grants for the State under the Ayush mission and increasing salaries of Ayush doctors under National Rural Health Mission.

modern methods in Unani medicine at AMU

Seminar on the relevance of modern methods in Unani medicine at AMU

Submitted by TwoCircles.net on 28 November 2014 - 7:10pm  By TCN News,

Aligarh: Ancient Greek Medicine, which has evolved into Unani System, has always been a preferred medicine method in the country and continues to be so even in modern times for many diseases, Lt General Zameeruddin Shah (retd) said.

“In the new era, Unani Medicine cannot be put in isolation but need to be effectively moved with modern times,” Shah, the vice chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) said at a seminar on ‘Relevance of Modern Method of Studies in Unani Medicine’ under the UGC DRS programme.

AMU Vice Chancellor Lt. Gen. Zameer Uddin Shah addressing the National Seminar at Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College

The seminar held at the Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College, AMU, was organised by the Department of Illmul Adviya, AK Tibbiya College, AMU. Lifetime achievement awards were given to Prof Wazahat Hussain and Prof Anis Ahmad Ansari, former faculty members of Department of Botany and Department of Kulliyat, AMU respectively, a release from the AMU said.

Professor Singhal, Vice Chancellor, NIIMS, Jaipur and the chief guest on the occasion said that in recent years, various clinical as well as experimental studies have been conducted globally to evaluate the efficacy of Unani Medicine in various ailments using standardized outcome measures and that these measures have proved to be beneficial in microsurgeries and curing other ailments. He also said, however, it is necessary that Unani Medicine should adopt Reverse Pharmacology in practice.

Dr Firdaus A Wani, registrar, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi and the guest of honour said that like any other form of medical science, Unani Medicine also strives to find the best possible ways by which a person could lead a healthy life with the least possible sickness. Dr Wani suggested Unani Medicine to catch up with the practices of modern times.

Padmashree Professor Hakim Zillur Rehman expressed his views on the practice of Unani Medicine in modern times and highlighted the history and the relate importance of the same.

AMU Vice Chancellor Lt. Gen. Zameer Uddin Shah felicitating to Prof. Wajahat Hussain at the National Seminar at Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College

Professor Naeem Ahmad Khan, Dean, Faculty of Unani Medicine urged to give more importance to Unani Medicine so that this traditional medicine practice reaches out to masses in the country as well as abroad. He also said that even today, Unani Medicine is the only remedy for various ailments and diseases.

Dr Saud Ali Khan, Principal, Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College proposed the vote of thanks. Prof F S Sheerani conducted the Program. Professor Kunwar Mohd Yusuf Amin also graced the occasion, the release said.

Allopathy bridge course for AYUSH

Allopathy bridge course in the offing
Raghava M.

The Hindu 23.NOV.2014
B. Ramanath Rai, Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, and U.T. Khader, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, at Ayush Utsav-2014 in Mangaluru. Photo: H.S. Manjunath
Nine-month course for practitioners of Indian systems of medicine

A nine-month bridge course in allopathy for practitioners of Indian systems of medicine may be in the offing.

The Union government has called a meeting of the Central Council of Indian Medicine to decide on the latter’s recommendation for launching such a course. This course is proposed for practitioners who will be working in rural health centres and national health programme, said President of Central Council of Indian Medicine Vanitha Murali Kumar.

Taking to The Hindu on the sidelines of a State-level Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddi and Homeopathy doctors conclave, Dr. Kumar said the Centre was keen on using Indian systems of medicine practitioners at primary health centres. Through this course, they will be trained for National Health programmes and also for providing emergency care and treatment. \

The government was keen to use nearly 4 lakh practitioners to fill the vacant posts of doctors in rural areas. Dr. Kumar said a committee of Central Council of Indian Medicine has already submitted the course module and recommended Indira Gandhi Open University to run the course and give the certificates. Dr. Kumar said the Medical Council of India has also been called for the meeting .

“But they have replied saying this as futile exercise.” Dr. Kumar said the recommendations of Central Council of Indian Medicine would be cleared and this course would be in force shortly.

In the function , cardiac surgeon and Chairman of Narayana Hrudayalaya Group of Hospitals Devi Prasad Shetty asked Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddi and Homeopathy practitioners to form a body at the State and the National level to lobby for the bridge course in allopathy.

He lamented the need for a structured training programme as prescribed by the Supreme Court for these practitioners to enable them prescribe allopathic drugs has not been met so far. A body like IGNOU can run this course, he added. Inaugurating the two-day conclave, Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader proposed setting up a Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddi and Homeopathy University in every State that will enable further research and growth of Indian systems of medicine. The State government will take the lead by setting up an Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddi and Homeopathy University next year.

Mr. Khader said the Government has taken steps to increase salary of Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddi and Homeopathy practitioners working in National Rural Health Mission programmes to Rs. 28,000.

It has also initiated action to recruit 583 Ayurvedic doctors through the Karnataka Public Service Commission.

Ministry for traditional medicine a good idea

Ministry for traditional medicine a good idea Traditional medicine systems either needs to be completely abolished, which in the current political context is unlikely, or strictly regulated  
The Narendra Modi govt has created ministry for traditional medicine called Ayush that stands for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. Photo: Mint New Delhi: Last week Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a separate ministry to promote traditional Indian medicine—Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy, collectively known as Ayush. The decision has been ridiculed on social media, especially because Modi promised a small government, and also because at least one of the medicinal systems involved, homeopathy, has been scientifically proven to be based almost exclusively on the placebo effect. Almost all homeopathic medicines are nothing but sugar and water. Still, the creation of a ministry is a good idea. Traditional medicine systems either needs to be completely abolished, which in the current political context is unlikely, or strictly regulated. The decision to have an Ayush ministry is fairly straightforward. If it is going to be practised, it needs to be regulated. At last count, India had 261 medical colleges teaching Ayurveda and producing over 10,000 graduates every year. In all, Ayush has 516 dedicated teaching institutions and with a total admission capacity of 25,507 seats. For the record, the new minister, Shripad Naik, has been tasked with setting up a regulator and reviving these branches of medicine. The government’s vision is the make the Indian systems of medicine and homoeopathy (ISM&H) available in every primary health care centre. The government will also be posting ISM&H specialist in government hospitals. The aim to revive and regulate traditional medicine is welcome but the obvious concern is about the government’s definition of integration. These 25,000 Ayush graduates cannot be seen as an answer to the doctor shortage in India. They cannot be expected to practice modern medicine after a crash course in specific treatments as the latest draft of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) bill expects them to. The bill, appallingly, allows abortions to be performed ayurveds, homoeopaths and midwives, in addition to allopathic doctors when the truth is that traditional medicine does not have the knowledge base required for abortions. The problem with the current policy is not that it wants to revive Ayush. It is that it wants to revive Ayush and make it practice modern medicine. There is no doubting the benefits of Ayurveda, yet it makes sense to ensure Ayurvedic medicines go through the same rigorous testing process allopathic ones do. Further, it will be interesting to see the regulator negotiate ethical issues. If patients opt for Ayurveda over allopathy to treat a condition that can easily be cured using modern medicine, is it ethically right for the medical practitioner to deny the simpler course of treatment? One of the best examples of reviving and integrating traditional and modern medicine is in Thailand, where government hospitals have integrated the traditional Thai medicine system even while strictly complying with its national health policy and the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The country has a list of diseases for which it allows use of traditional medicine in combination with modern medicine. On paper, the move to have an exclusive ministry is welcome but it is unlikely to replicate the Thai model because, unfortunately for Ayush, it has got mixed up with religion. And that’s the biggest flaw with India’s traditional medicine systems.

Read more at: live Mint.

bio-resources and benefit sharing

  National guidelines for Ayush units on use of bio-resources and benefit sharing to be notified shortly
Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai
Wednesday, November 19, 2014, 08:00 Hrs [IST]

A national guideline on benefit sharing for Ayush units is likely to be notified by the Central Government shortly to boost sustainable use of bio-resources across the country.

As per the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, Ayush manufacturer has the responsibility to share details of the source from where the raw material has been procured and also a certain per cent of the revenue generated out of the production for its sustainable use.

According to Section 7 and 24(2) of the Act, organisations extracting plant based material for commercial purpose without intimation to state biodiversity board are liable under Section 55(2) of the Act and shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend up to three years with fine or five years with fine or both.

Uniform guidelines on benefit sharing will also give boost to bio-diversity conservation which was a hitherto a neglected subject despite a Biological Diversity Act of 2002 in place. The guidelines will allow and empower respective state biodiversity boards to determine the amount of benefit sharing to be given by Ayush manufacturers to the state exchequer.

Informs a source associated with the development, "Till date, there is no clarity on the amount of benefit sharing to be accrued from the Ayush manufacturer annually. A high powered committee set up by the National Bio-Diversity Authority (NBA) had approved and sent the guidelines to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) for approval and notification in the official gazette. MOEF has now sent it to the Law Ministry and this would soon take shape in the form of notification."

Meanwhile, National Green Tribunal (NGT) is also awaiting a clear-cut and well-defined guideline on benefit sharing for its effective implementation. This move from the tribunal comes in the wake of over dozen such cases of litigations pending in NGT Bhopal bench of Madhya Pradesh (MP) and in various benches of High Court of MP. Around 22 such cases are in the process of being handed over to NGT from the respective benches of High Court at Jabalpur, Indore and Gwalior. In 2010, companies had moved to courts when Madhya Pradesh State Biodiversity Board (MPSBB) asked them to deposit the stipulated amount on benefit sharing as per the act.

Explains Dr R G Soni, former member secretary, Madhya Pradesh State Biodiversity Board (MPSBB), "Cases are pending at NGT for final order which is awaiting notified guidelines of benefit sharing. Due to lack of proper benefit sharing guidelines boards of all the states were losing Rs. 25,000 crore every year since 2004. Similarly, NBA is losing Rs. 10,000 crore every year since 2004. "

Dr Soni is credited to have initiated the action during his tenure at MPSBB following which companies moved to NGT. However, NGT approved the actions taken by MPSBB finally.

The notice served by different state boards as per the act states that the manufacturer is required to furnish information like name and address of the company, name of panchayat or nagar palika from where raw materials are procured, name and quantity of biological resources used annually, area and annual production (year wise) and annual gross turnover (gross revenue). State biodiversity boards set up in different states started issuing notices to the manufacturers not registered with them, a few months ago, directing them to do so at the earlie.
(Phamabiz)

World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day: Here’s how you can treat Diabetes as per Unani Medicine -
See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/world-diabetes-day-heres-how-you-can-treat-diabetes-as-per-unani-medicine/#sthash.pzF6OIxz.dpuf

New Delhi | Posted: November 14, 2014 1:56 pm By Dr Aysha Raza In Arabic,
Diabetes is called Ziabetes or Dolab or Zalaqul Kulya and Zalaqul Majari. According to Unani Medicine, Ziabetes Shakri is a disease in which the consumed water is passed out through the kidney immediately after intake by the patient. In this disease the mizaj (temperament) of kidneys becomes haar (hot) because of which they absorb water from blood circulation and send it to the urinary bladder immediately. According to Unani, there are two kind of diabetes. One is Ziabetes Haar in which acute symptoms of diabetes (with abrupt onset) occur, such as excessive thirst, increase in urination. Another is Ziabetes Barid in which the thirst and frequency of urination is comparatively less. There is also a classification, according to presence and absence of sugar in urine. Ziabetes Sada is characterised by excessive thirst and increased urination but there is no sugar in the urine. Ziabetes Shakri is characterised by excessive thirst and urination and presence of sugar in urine. As per Unani, Diabetes occur due to stress, anxiety, strain and tension (Infaalat-e-Nafsania), over-eating, Excessive use of Alcohol or Sedentary Lifestyle Unani Drugs (Single drugs recommended for diabetes): Magze tukhme jamun, Karela Bark, Magze tukhme neem, Fenugreek seeds, Bail Leaves, Kalonji, Gurmar booti, Tabasheer, Sarphooka or Gilo) These above mentioned drugs (single drug) can be taken in a powder form (7-10 gms twice in a day after meal with luke warm water) UNANI DRUG FORMULATION 1.Qurs gulnar 2 BD with meal with water. 2.Tab. dulabi 2 BD(hamdard) with water. 3.Cap diabetic 2 BD(hamdard) with water. 4.Safoof aijaz 5 gm BD with water (new shama) Here’s how you should modify your diet to tackle Diabetes

DIET IN DIABETES -
1) Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. 2) Exercise atleast 1 hour a day like brisk morning walk. Breathing exercise may be helpful. 3) Avoid alcohol consumption and smoking. 4) Control intake of sugar in any form for eg. Potato, Banana, Rice, Cereal and Fruits. 5) Avoid oily food. 6) Stress, strain, tension, anxiety should be avoided. 7) Eat fresh vegetables like Cabbage, Carrot, Radish, Onion, Spinach, Bitter Gourd, Cucumber. 8) Whole grain wheat (Chana, Wheat, Soyabean) should be included in diet. 9) Avoid eating containing sugar like sweets, chocolates etc. 10) Take dairy products like milk and yoghurt. 11) Take diet rich in fibre. Soyabean, oatmeal etc help to control diabetes. 12) Paneer, Egg Whites, Chicken, Pulses, Curd and Fish are great sources of protein. 13) Take sprouted seeds like Chana, <oong etc on regular basis. DIET CHART Breakfast Sprouted seeds like Moong, Chana. Egg white Salad: Cucumber, Curd, Radish, Carrot Lunch (Veg) Soyabean, Methi, Bitter Gourd, Arvi (Arbi) Lunch (Non Veg) Fish, Paneer, Prawn Dinner (Non veg) Chicken, Mutton Dinner (Veg) Peas, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Ladyfinger, Bittor Gourd, Bottle Gourd, Turai, Parval, Baby Corn. Drinks Barley water, Coconut water, Mineral water. Dr Aysha Raza (M.D) Associate Professor A&U Tibbia College I\C Maternity & O.P.D President:- All India Teachers Association Delhi P.G Faculty Association of Indian Medicine (An Association of Tibbia College Govt. of NCT Delhi) -

lost glory of Ayurveda

Research will reclaim lost glory of Ayurveda, say experts
Shahla Siddiqui, TNN | Nov 15, 2014, 10.12PM IST
Times of India

DEHRADUN: Research and standardization in Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) will help reclaim the lost glory of Ayurveda, experts said on Saturday. The focus of central and state AYUSH departments should be on research.

Identifying and preserving medicinal plants in the state can give Uttarakhand the edge in medicine, they added. Experts say Uttarakhand is home to 30% of India's bio-diversity, the benefits of which have not tapped into by the state. No proper identification or classification has been done.

"We are losing many of our ancient herbs every year. This is only because we haven't taken proper steps towards their restoration. Identifying all these herbs will help us in their preservation and research work," said Maya Ram Uniyal, a prominent writer and researcher in the field of Ayurveda.


Uniyal also stressed on the need for uniform treatment across the country. "The medication should be same, irrespective of the place. An ayurvedic practitioner in Kerala should prescribe the same medicine as one in Uttarakhand for a particular disease," he said.

"Instead on focusing on opening more health centers and posting doctors in the hills, the department should encourage research work. Inferential studies need to have scientific rigor. If the Centre cannot fund the research programs, the state should take it up as a responsibility," said Om Prakash, principal secretary AYUSH, Uttarakhand. Experts also demanded flexibility in research and clinical work at the one day awareness camp organized by the state AYUSH department in Dehradun.

Proponents of Ayurveda claim that it has none of the side effects of allopathic medicine. Other states have pumped in resources into Ayurveda research. In Hyderabad, the state unani department has funded research to find a cure for cancer.

Ibn Sina Academy

This centre of medicine has unique ‘Urdu tehzeeb’ museum
Eram Agha, TNN | Nov 12, 2014, 04.53PM IST  Times of India

ALIGARH: The Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicine and Sciences was founded by Padma Shri Hakim Syed Zillur Rehman in the year 2000. It is well known for its vast library and the museum of medieval science and medicine. Few people know, however, that it also houses a museum that showcases "Muslim culture, steeped in Urdu tehzeeb".

Rehman says this museum "chronicles Muslim culture through objects". He says the attempt is to preserve, before these cultural artefacts are lost entirely.

Why would a centre dedicated to medicine and science preserve a "chogha" (an earlier form of the sherwani)? Where else, in a centre like this one, would you expect to see a three-metre dupatta studded with diamonds and laced with gold and silver? Step into this museum to see crockery that sat on the dining tables of Muslim households in times gone by.

"Times are changing. Sixty-seven years after independence, many families now have a second generation that is acquiring a modern education. They will then go out in search of work and money, and a time will come when they will feel nostalgia and return in search of their roots and their traditions. People want to know of their virasat," he said, adding, "That is when some of my efforts to conserve our heritage through these things will matter".

Some of the objects on display were part of his own inheritance. Some were gifted by people who saw that he had the wherewithal to preserve priceless items for posterity.

An NGO "Heritage Restore" has now started work on documenting the objects in Rehman's collection. So far, over 4,500 objects are recorded as stored in this repository.

Heritage Restore president Azfar Ahmad said, "People think Muslim culture is about maqbara and madarsa. But look here - you find gramophones, harmoniums, costumes for weddings and trays for biryanis, all uniquely designed."

Some of these objects, in some years, will be so alien that few will understand without explanation what a paandaan (a box for preserving items used to make paan), ugaldaan (spittoon for the pan user), haath ka pankha (a hand fan), batua (wallet), chogha (a form of the sherwani), gharara (a dress item) look like."

Rehman's collection also has a fruit tray from the dining table of Begum Sultan Jahan of Bhopal, her brooch made of precious stones, with her name inscribed in gold, a chogha that belonged to the Qazi Shamsuddin of Rewari, dating back to 1830, a paandaan weighing over 5 kg and a betel stand.

There are original royal orders of Mughal emperors that have come to Rehman from his father, and a paper weight made of shells that was used by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.

There are also silver-lined razais (quilts), dinner sets with plates having a vacuum so that hot water poured in them keeps the curry warm till the last bite.

Rahman has earlier served as professor and chairman, department of Ilmul Advia at the Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College, Aligarh Muslim University. After a 40-year stint, he retired as dean, faculty of Unani medicine.

He is the author of 45 books and several papers on different aspects of Unani. He boasts of being the possessor of the largest collection of books on Unani medicine. He was conferred the Padma Shri in 2006 for his contribution to the field of Unani medicine.

The museum grew out of his penchant for all things unique, some of which were also priceless -- coins from ancient times, stamps, pens and other artefacts.

Way of Life: PM Modi

Ayurveda Should be Recognized as a Way of Life: PM Modi
ndtv...
Modified: November 10, 2014 13:56 IST

The 6th World Ayurveda Congress (WAC) and Arogya Expo was held recently in New Delhi with the aim of integrating Ayurveda with the mainstream public health system and also propagating it globally as a safe and cost-efficient health care alternative.

The event was organized by the AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) department under the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry, in collaboration with the World Ayurveda Foundation (WAF) and the Delhi government. It was graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who stressed on the fact that Ayurveda can acquire global recognition, like yoga, if it is presented in the right spirit and recognized as a way of life.

He further added, "The biggest challenge for promoting Ayurveda is finding physicians who are completely committed to Ayurveda. Unless practitioners believe in it fully they will not be able to convince the patients." There are times when doctors may prescribe allopathic medicines initially and then switch to Ayurvedic cures. Such 'cross-pathy' is legally not allowed to be practiced.

He also explained that Ayurveda and Allopathy should not be considered as competing streams of medical science as the former is to do with prevention while the latter only deals with cures. A disease can be cured by Allopathy, but if a person adopts Ayurveda, he can protect himself against various infections and lifestyle diseases for life.

He recommends, "Space has to be created in international medical and science publications, for articles on Ayurveda. But some effort needs to be made by practitioners and researchers of Ayurveda."

Despite having a rich heritage of alternate systems of medicine, India lags behind China in this field. But the government has now decided to pump in around Rs. 5,000 crore in the Ayush mission which may boost the current scenario.

Chhattisgarh sterilisation camp

8 women dead, 25 critical after Chhattisgarh sterilisation camp
Agencies New Delhi, November 11, 2014
First Published: 11:00 IST(11/11/2014) | Last Updated: 11:49 IST(11/11/2014)

Eight women have died and more than 25 others are in critical condition after undergoing sterilisation surgeries in a camp held at Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh.

Eight women have died and more than 25 others are in critical condition after undergoing sterilisation surgeries in a camp held at Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh. (Shutterstock)

Organised by the Chhattisgarh government in the home district of state health minister Amar Agarwal, the camp saw 83 women being operated upon on Saturday as part of the annual family planning camp. After the women started complaining of severe pain, they were referred to the Bilaspur district hospital, where eight of the women died.

"Reports of a drop in pulse, vomiting and other ailments started pouring in on Monday from the women who underwent surgery," said Sonmani Borah, the commissioner for Bilaspur district where the camp was held.

"Since Monday eight women have died and 64 are in various hospitals." Television footage showed women on stretchers being rushed into hospital with anxious relatives by their side.

The women -- all residents of neighbouring villages and most from BPL families -- had undergone the laparoscopic tubectomy in just five hours at the camp in Takhatpur area of Bilaspur.

Though health officials denied any negligence, some admit that too many surgeries were perfomed in one day to meet targets.

The government has set up a three-member panel to investigate the incident, and announced a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh each for the families of the women who died, and Rs. 50,000 for those who are undergoing treatment.

These camps are held between October and February, and women who go through the surgery are paid Rs. 1,400 each.
Hindustan Times First Published: 11:00 IST(11/11/2014) | Last Updated: 11:49 IST(11/11/2014)

dengue vaccine CYD-TDV

Dengue vaccine tested on Indian adults, found safe
Kounteya Sinha,TNN | Nov 2, 2014, 09.30 PM IST
 READ MORE Sanofi Pasteur|Dr Nicholas Jackson|DENGUE|Dangue Vaccine|CYD-TDV
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes spread the virus that cause dengue fever. (Getty Images photo)
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103 new dengue cases
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LYON (FRANCE): The world's first dengue vaccine CYD-TDV has passed the crucial India test and could be available in the country as early as by the end of next year.

In an exclusive interview to TOI, the vaccine makers Sanofi Pasteur revealed that their first study of the vaccine on Indian adults (aged 18-45 years) across five sites in India — Delhi, Ludhiana, Bangalore, Pune and Kolkata found the vaccine "safe and immunogenic in Indian adults" with results comparable to other clinical studies in Asia.

The study showed that 87% of Indian adults in the trial were positive to dengue at enrolment, confirming the significant endemic nature of the vector borne disease in the country.

Sanofi also announced the results last week at the joint annual conference of Indian Society of Malaria and Other Communicable Diseases & Indian Association of Epidemiologists.

Dr Nicholas Jackson, Sanofi Pasteur's chief of research and development for the dengue vaccine program told TOI in an exclusive interview: "We are in contact with the Indian authorities to assess the best registration pathway for our vaccine. Based on the positive results we now have from two phase III studies conducted in 10 countries across Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, we will prepare to submit the vaccine for licensure in endemic countries in the first quarter of 2015."


The Sanofi Pasteur vaccine research and development laboratory in Lyon, France. (Getty Images photo)

Dr Jackson added, "The Indian authorities requested us to perform a study in adults, which we did. This is highly significant as it is the first study of our vaccine in India on adults. The results will be an important part of our database as we consider additional clinical trials in India with our vaccine and the results will also play a part to support our licensure application in India."

Dengue is a threat to nearly half of the world's population. It is endemic in over 100 countries. One person is hospitalized every single minute with dengue.

"WHO has the target to reduce morbidity by 25% and mortality by 50% by 2020," he said adding, "We just completed a large epidemiology study in India. Around 2,591 persons were enrolled in a community-based, cross-sectional sero-prevalence study across eight geographically distinct urban, peri-urban and rural sites in India. In children aged 5 to 10 years, our study showed that 60% of children had evidence of prior exposure to dengue."
"At seven sites, this ranged from 58.2% to 80.1%. The highest seroprevalence was observed in Mumbai (80.1%), and lowest in Kalyani in eastern India (23.2%)," he said.


A dengue patient having treatment in ICU at a Delhi hospital. (Getty Images file photo)

In addition, Sanofi is also planning to conduct new cohort studies to further estimate the incidence of dengue disease in India.

Dr Jackson said, "This new study will be conducted in four sites from next year. We believe it is critical to understand well the burden of dengue disease in India. The results observed suggest dengue transmission intensity in these sites is comparable to other highly endemic countries of Southeast Asia and speaks to the significant burden of disease in children in India."

Earlier CYD-TDV — the first dengue vaccine candidate to reach phase 3 clinical testing has shown 88.5% efficacy after three doses against severe disease dengue haemorrhagic fever which leads to hospitalization for over half a million people (mostly children) every year.

Once administered, the vaccine also provided 67% protection against dengue-associated hospitalization.


Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that spread dengue virus. (AFP photo)

Researchers found that the vaccine gave low protection (35%) against DENV 2 strain, but more than 75% protection against DENV 3 and 4, and 50% against DENV 1.

The vaccine was generally well tolerated.

A total of 647 serious adverse events were reported, 402 (62%) in the vaccine group and 245 (38%) in the placebo group.

Overall, the vaccine has shown moderate protection (56%) against the disease in Asian children, according to new research published in Lancet last month.

There is no licensed vaccine available to treat or prevent dengue fever and efforts to develop one have been complicated by the fact that dengue is caused by four distinct dengue viruses, and a vaccine must target all four serotypes (DENV 1-4).

Lead author Dr Maria Rosario Capeding, from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in the Philippines said, "Our results suggest that vaccination with CYD-TDV can reduce the incidence of symptomatic dengue infection by more than half and importantly reduced severe disease and hospitalizations. This candidate vaccine has the potential to have a significant impact on public health in view of the high disease burden in endemic countries."


A woman covers her face as a municipal corporation worker in New Delhi fumigates the area to prevent mosquitos from breeding. (Getty Images file photo)

India alone accounted for around one-third of all infections. Of the 96 million apparent infections, Asia records 70% of the burden.

The vaccine will be a boon for India.

Scientists recently said that the number of people getting affected with dengue in India could actually be almost 300 times higher than what is officially reported by the country's ministry of health. The conclusion was made by none other than the Indian Council of Medical Research — the government's primary body for all medical and scientific research.

The new study published in American Journal of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene says that there are nearly 6 million more dengue cases in India than the official annual tally.

The government however says there is an annual average of 20,000 laboratory confirmed cases.

The study, led by researchers at Brandeis University's Schneider Institute for Health Policy in Waltham, Massachusetts, the INCLEN Trust International in New Delhi and the ICMR's Centre for Research in Medical Entomology (CRME) in Madurai calculated that dengue's economic burden on India totals $1.11 billion annually; roughly the same amount India spends each year on its national space program.

To calculate dengue's economic burden, the researchers found that the total direct medical cost to India was $548 million per year, or about $94.85 per patient. Given that the average dengue case lasts about two weeks that figure breaks down to $6.77 per patient per day. Dengue is therefore more expensive to treat in India than tuberculosis.

Ayush Herbs USA finalized an externship

Ayush Herbs, Bastyr University Launch Externship Program
29.10.2014
Posted in News, Industry News, International, India, Ayurveda

REDMOND, Wash.—Ayush Herbs USA finalized an externship arrangement between Bastyr University of Kenmore, Washington, and the Rajiv Gandhi Government Post-Graduate Ayurvedic College (HP), India (RGGPGAC), effective October 18, 2014.

The arrangement, brokered by Shailinder Sodhi, BAMS (Ayurveda), ND, of Ayush Herbs USA, is the first of its kind between a Western-based institution and any Indian Ayurvedic medical university to train Ayurvedic (naturopathic) students in an externship program within India. The externship program will be offered two times per year, and will place Bastyr students in real-life learning situations in Indian Ayurvedic hospitals.

“We are very excited about this program, as it allows Bastyr students to get training in Ayurvedic medicine in real situations in India, where Ayurveda is a long-practiced and recognized medicine," Sodhi said. “It took a long time to get through all the legalities both here and in India to get this externship program finalized, and we at Ayush Herbs USA and Ayush Herbs India are proud to have facilitated this union."

According to Sodhi, this is a unique situation because no opportunity of this kind is available anywhere in the United States – currently, no Ayurvedic hospital exists here. He believes that this is a first step in the getting Ayurvedic medicine licensed and recognized throughout the United States.

The first externship program is scheduled for December of this year. Eight students will be participating in the program.

In recent years, AYUSH Herbs took on a project where it constructed a hydroelectric facility to power its farms and the communities that surround them.

Digital Citizenship Cards

India to Administrate Health Plan with Digital Citizenship Cards

India’s federal government will coordinate delivery of its ambitious new healthcare plan using its biometric identification card system, according to a new Economic Times article.

Announced only a few months ago, India’s new National Health Assurance Mission (NHAM) asserted a vision of federally-provided, affordable healthcare accessible to all Indian citizens. The plan would provide citizens with 50 essential drugs and 30 AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) drugs, in addition to other healthcare services. It was met with applause and also a bit of skepticism about how exactly it would be implemented, but at least one piece of that puzzle has fallen into place with this new development regarding Aadhaar.

Spearheaded by newly-elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Aadhaar is a national identification system being introduced as part of the government’s Digital India initiative. The plan is to get every single Indian citizen signed up for the identification card, which entails iris and fingerprint biometric scanning. Linking the NHAM to the Aadhaar card system will allow the government to secure itself against fraudulent health insurance claims, and will also provider greater healthcare access to citizens.

It’s an ambitious and impressive plan, and by no means is it the only large-scale application of India’s growing biometric identification database: The government is also using public employees’ Aadhaar cards to track their activities at work; it plans to use the Aadhaar cards to administer food and fuel rations; and it’s going to install biometric scanners at major transportation terminals throughout the country.
October 21, 2014 – by Alex Perala
Find Biometrics

to be revive Ayush sector

  Commerce ministry to revive Ayush sector globally through revised national scheme
Suja Nair Shirodkar, Mumbai
Monday, September 22, 2014, 08:00 Hrs [IST]


The Union commerce ministry is planning to launch a dedicated programme for the Ayush sector under the national scheme which is aimed at reviving and boosting the industry globally. It is understood that prime minister Narendra Modi has already given directive to the commerce ministry to formulate a comprehensive road-map for fostering a favorable environment for the Ayush sector.

The commerce ministry has already set up an Ayush advisory group for the same, which will be headed by Sudhanshu Pandey, joint secretary, ministry of commerce. In fact he has already sought specific suggestions from the industry to strengthen the Indian traditional system of medicines which comprises Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (Ayush) for enhancing trade.

Sources informed that the government is very keen on strengthening this segment and has very specific agenda on what needs to be done to spur the growth of this sector. Sources informed that the government plans to propagate not only yoga but also other traditional system of medicines as well across the globe in a very authentic way, well supported and represented by the government of the country.

Industry insiders stressed that this initiative will go a long way in helping the growth of the industry which has been going through a very rough phase in the recent times. Most importantly many feel that the government's systematical and thoughtful support will help the Indian Ayush sector to thwart the Chinese competition successfully in the long run.

While China has been investing heavily to develop their traditional system of medicines, the Indian government has been lagging behind in the past for propagating the same which has forced the Ayush segment to take severe brunt globally. Thus, this move has been welcomed by the industry wholeheartedly as they strongly feel that the times may be really changing for them for good.

Interestingly, the health ministry also had recently launched the National Ayush Mission (NAM) which is aimed at addressing the gaps in health services within the country. The decision to launch the mission was taken in a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi, which again seems to point out to their commitment to revive the Ayush domestically as well as globally.
source PHAMABIZ.COM

National Ayush Mission approved on 14/09/14

Government approves National Ayush Mission
PTI | Sep 16, 2014, 07.59 AM IST
NEW DELHI: Government on Saturday approved launching of National Ayush Mission (NAM) to address gaps in health services in vulnerable and far-flung areas of the country.

The decision to launch the mission was taken in a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Through the Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (Ayush) mission, the Centre seeks to address gaps in health services by supporting the efforts of state governments for providing Ayush health services and education in the country, particularly in vulnerable and remote areas.

"Under NAM, special focus will be given on specific needs of such areas and for allocation of higher resources in their Annual Plans. The Mission will help improve Ayush education through enhancement in the number of upgraded educational institutions and provide better access to Ayush services through increase in number of Ayush hospitals and dispensaries," an official statement said.

The mission will also help provide sustained availability of quality raw material for Ayush systems of medicine and improve availability of quality drugs through increase in number of pharmacies and drug laboratories.

All streams under Ayush and rename it as Dept of Indian Traditional Medicines

'Govt should integrate all streams under Ayush and rename it as Dept of Indian Traditional Medicines'
Peethaambaran Kunnathoor, Chennai
Tuesday, August 26, 2014, 08:00 Hrs [IST]  (PHAMABIZ.COM)


For the promotion and popularization of Indian traditional medicines worldwide, the Union government should take steps to integrate the Ayush streams and rename the department of Ayush as department of ‘Indian Traditional Medicines’ (ITM), Dr Arul Amuthan, an ethnopharmacologist from Manipal Medical College suggested to the Union health ministry.

Dr Arul Amuthan, observes that the Ayush degree holders (BAMS, BSMS, BUMS, BNYS and BHMS) are practicing various streams of traditional medicines irrespective of their qualifications. Therefore it is necessary to integrate all the streams (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) and branded as one.

The department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy (ISM&H) was created in March,1995, but re-named it as department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (Ayush) in November, 2003 with a view to providing focused attention to development of education & research in these systems.

Dr Amuthan, who is supporting the research work in the Centre for Traditional Medicines & Research (CTMR) in Chennai, says that the current Indian healthcare scenario is moving towards the concept of an integrative medical management of diseases where the traditional remedial methods/drugs are combined with the modern systems. This will help the patients receive drugs or remedial measures from different systems of medicines for one disease. But, before initiating this integration of modern and traditional systems, the various traditional medical systems should be integrated first and made it as one system.

At present, the government provides healthcare by using western medical systems throughout India. Additionally it promotes the country’s own traditional healing methods which are not handled alike and are not balancing. For example, in north-eastern states, none of the Ayush systems is followed by the people there. Measures are needed to make all citizens in the country avail the benefit of all the systems.

His observation is that if a modern medical practitioner is intending to refer his patient to Ayush systems, he gets confused as to which system the patient should be guided. The department of Ayush should give a clear idea on this problem. Though there are many physicians available with BAMS, BSMS, BUMS, BNYS and BHMS, these degrees make huge confusion among allopathic practitioners, hence they reject the systems. This problem can be solved by integrating the Indian traditional medical systems.

“When we have a common degree and common practice of Indian traditional medicine, then it would be easy to popularize our heritage worldwide and easily to integrate it with modern (allopathy) system. Then Indian citizens will get equal opportunity to enjoy our ancient healthcare heritage, and all other medical systems will have equal chances to serve public”, said the lecturer.

Ayush under common Central regulatory authority

CCIM expert panel not in favour of bringing Ayush under common Central regulatory authority
Peethambaran Kunnathoor, Chennai
Tuesday, August 05, 2014, 08:00 Hrs [IST]

The Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM)’s special expert committee meeting held in New Delhi last week to discuss the policies pertaining to healthcare plans proposed in the manifesto of the Bharatiya Janatha Party, has felt that the autonomy of the Ayush department should not be abolished and the system should not be brought under the overarching regulatory body for healthcare as envisaged in the manifesto.

The experts felt that if Ayush is brought under an umbrella organisation for regulation, it should lose its independent stance. The manifesto proposes setting up of a common central regulatory body to regulate healthcare, food and nutrition by bringing them altogether under one umbrella.

According to sources from CCIM, the central government has forwarded the healthcare proposals in the manifesto to the Ayush department for detailed discussion and review, for that the CCIM has called a special meeting of Ayush experts. The expert committee was attended by selected experts from Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani in addition to the executive committee members of the CCIM. But the special committee did not favour the idea of bringing Ayush system under an overarching body as the experts felt that once it was brought under a super controlling authority, it will lose its identity and impede its overall growth. Therefore, the special panel of experts suggested for several measures in place to strengthen the Ayush system by utilising modern technologies.

The experts who attended as special invitees in the meeting made suggestions for expanding Indian systems, especially Ayurveda and Siddha, to the north eastern parts of the country where awareness about these traditional medicines is poor among the common public and facilities for treatment are also nil. Members of the CCIM from north eastern states also wanted propagation of Ayurveda and Siddha in their states. The special committee at last decided to request the union government to initiate steps for establishing Ayurveda and Siddha hospitals in those states where they are not started so far.

The key points in the manifesto were to strengthen the healthcare system by making it not only affordable and available to all, but also effective. It also talked of modernising government hospitals in the country and upgrades their infrastructure and technologies. The agenda included proposal for reorganising ministry of health & family welfare (MoH&FW) in order to converge various departments dealing in healthcare, food and nutrition and pharmaceuticals for effective delivery of healthcare services.

The manifesto revealed the government’s commitment to increase public investment to promote yoga and Ayush systems. It said there are plans to start integrated courses for Indian systems of medicine (ISM) and modern science and ayurgenomics. Vigorous programmes will be launched to standardise and validate the ayurvedic medicines also.

Representing Siddha system, Dr T Thirunarayanan, secretary of Centre for Traditional Medicines and Research (CTMR), Chennai, Dr V Bhanumathi, Government Siddha Medical College, Chennai and Dr Arul Amuthan from Manipal College of Pharmacy attended the expert committee meeting.

AYUSH in AIIMS

Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy to be included in AIIMS system: Harsh Vardhan
Monday, 4 August 2014 - 1:13pm IST | Place: Rishikesh (Uttarakhand) | Agency: ANI Tweet

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has said the NDA Government would work towards enhancing Ayurveda's global acceptance as evidence-based medicine.

Speaking to reporters after laying the foundation stone of a "Global Museum of Ayurveda and Herbal Medicine" at Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Yoga Pitha, Dr Harsh Vardhan said: "For the first time since 1947, the government's health policy is going to lay primary emphasis on the Ayurveda Siddhanta. This is in tune with the times as World Health Organisation (WHO) has given considerable importance to Ayurveda in its activities related to traditional medicine.

He further said: "WHO has contributed substantially towards the implementation of pharmaco-vigilance in Ayurveda and the publication of documents for rational use and initiatives to prepare consumer guidelines for appropriate use of Ayurvedic medicines." . "Now, every AIIMS centre will have an indigenous medicine department of which Ayurveda will be a major component. AIIMS Rishikesh will take the lead in this as steps are underway to have a 100-bed AYUSH Hospital and land for medicinal herb cultivation facility for standardised production of medicines," he added.

On AYUSH, Harsh Vardhan said the government has set up a "Committee of Directors" to recommend a blue print for the operationalisation of a yoga training and therapy centre at AIIMS Rishikesh. The committee will be headed by Dr Raj Kumar, Director, AIIMS- Rishikesh, and hold its first meeting on August 4, the Minister stated.

"The old, allopathy orientation of AIIMS is out of sync with the contemporary trend of integrating indigenous and western forms of cure. That is why I wish to give Yoga, along with Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy pride of place in the AIIMS system. All the six new AIIMS will be dynamic institutions of integrated medicine in the years to come," he said.

Baba Ram Dev told reporters that he appreciated the Narendra Modi government's commitment to represent evidence-based treatment in a positive light to the people.

The Minister and the Yoga Guru had a detailed discussion on research trends in modern science and clinical applications of Yoga and Ayurveda. Dr Harsh Vardhan remarked that he was pleased to hear of the guru's monumental work in developing a World Herbal Encyclopaedia.


Government's health policy will lay emphasis on Ayurveda: Vardhan
PTI | Aug 3, 2014, 08.04 PM IST

READ MORE World Health Organisation|Union Minister|Narendra Modi|herbal medicine|Baba Ramdev
Union minister for health & family welfare Harsh Vardhan on Sunday said that the government would try enhancing Ayurveda's global acceptance as evidence-based medicine.

NEW DELHI: Union minister for health & family welfare Harsh Vardhan on Sunday said that the government would try enhancing Ayurveda's global acceptance as evidence-based medicine.

Speaking to reporters at Haridwar after laying foundation stone of a Global Museum of Ayurveda and Herbal Medicine at yoga guru Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Yoga Pitha, he said that the government's health policy is going to lay primary emphasis on the Ayurveda Siddhanta, for the first time since 1947.

"This is in tune with the times as the World Health Organisation (WHO) has given considerable importance to Ayurveda in its activities related to traditional medicine," he said.

Stating that the WHO has contributed substantially towards the implementation of pharmaco-vigilance in Ayurveda and the publication of documents for rational use, he stated that every AIIMS centre will have an indigenous medicine department of which Ayurveda will be a major component.

"AIIMS Rishikesh will take the lead in this as steps are underway to have a 100-bed AYUSH Hospital and land for medicinal herb cultivation facility for standardized production of medicines," he said.

On AYUSH, the Union minister said, the government has set up a Committee of Directors to recommend a blue print for the operationalization of a yoga training and therapy centre at AIIMS Rishikesh, according to a press release here.

The committee will be headed by Dr Raj Kumar, Director, AIIMS Rishikesh, and hold its first meeting on August 4, the minister stated.

Baba Ramdev said he appreciated the Narendra Modi government's commitment to represent evidence-based treatment in a positive light to the people.

The minister and the yoga guru had a detailed discussion on research trends in modern science and clinical applications of Yoga and Ayurveda, the release further said.

define ambit of herbal drugs

Alternative Medicine
Himalaya Drugs chief wants Centre to define ambit of herbal drugs & non-prescription products
Nandita Vijay, Bengaluru
Wednesday, July 16, 2014, 08:00 Hrs [IST]


Union government needs to clearly define the ambit of the herbal drugs and non-prescription products used by the general public, said Philipe Haydon, CEO, The Himalaya Drug Company.

“Majority of doctors advocate the integration of the two systems of medicine namely Ayurveda and allopathy but due to confusion over regulations, they are reluctant to prescribe ayurvedic products. This is detrimental to the growth of the Indian system of medicine but more importantly, it restricts the choice of patients who can benefit from holistic treatment options,” Haydon told Pharmabiz.

The Himalaya Drug Company has drugs that can provide relief to patients suffering from lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension among others, he added.

In a communication to the department of Ayush and the Union ministry of health, The Himalaya Drug Company stated “The Delhi Medical Council (DMC) said that doctors of modern medicine should not prescribe ayurvedic drugs. The notification has wrongfully interpreted Section 30 of the Delhi Bhartiya Chikitsa Parishad Act, 1998.”

“Section 30 states that false assumption of practitioner under this Act to be an offence. Any person who falsely assumes that he is a practitioner as defined in clause (k) of Section 2 and practices the Bhartiya Chikitsa (Indian System of Medicine) shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment which may extend up to three years and with fine which may extend up to fifty thousand rupees”, stated the note from the company.

Under this section, punishment can be awarded only to practitioners as defined in clause (k) of Section 2 of this Act and no punishment may be awarded to anyone practicing veterinary medicine or veterinary surgery or homoeopathic or modern scientific system of medicine. Section 2(k) of The Delhi Bhartiya Chikitsa Parishad Act, 1998 defines a practitioner as a medical practitioner who practises the Bharatiya Chikitsa Paddhati (Indian System of Medicine), stated the note from the company.

“As per regulations, since Ayurveda products are classified under non-schedule drugs, any doctor in India should have the legal right to recommend it to his/her patients. When this is the prevailing legal and regulatory position, notifications such as the one issued by the DMC contradict this and impede the acceptance of Ayurveda. In fact, doctors with their informed medical opinion should be encouraged to look for the best treatment options even if it comes from complementary and alternative systems of medicine,” pointed out Haydon.

“It is also relevant to mention that Supreme Court in a landmark case, Dr. Mukhtiar Chand & Ors versus State of Punjab empowered State Governments to issue a notification permitting doctors of traditional medicine to practice and prescribe allopathic medicine. Hence, it would be prudent to assume that when the Supreme Court has upheld a notification conferring the right on an ayurvedic practitioner to prescribe allopathic medicines, there is absolutely no reason why a different yardstick should be applied to an allopathic practitioner prescribing ayurvedic drugs, said Haydon.

In the case of Himalaya, its Liv-52 and Rumalaya are recommended by the allopathy doctors as an adjuvant. If the confusion on the cross prescription is sorted out then there could be a comprehensive relief option for the growing patient population, said Haydon.

every things give us something

Once upon a time a very strong woodcutter asked for a job with a timber merchant, and he got it. His salary was really good and so were the working conditions. For that reason, the woodcutter was determined to do his best.

His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he was supposed to fell the trees. The first day, the woodcutter brought down 15 trees.

" Congratulations," the boss said. " Carry on with your work!"

Highly motivated by the words of his boss, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he only could bring 10 trees down. The third day he tried even harder, but he was only able to bring down 7 trees.

Day after day he was bringing lesser number of trees down.

" I must be losing my strength", the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on.

" When was the last time you sharpened your axe?" the boss asked.
" Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut trees..."


That's right. Most of us NEVER update our skills. We think that whatever we have learned is very much enough. But good is not good when better is expected. Sharpening our skills from time to time is the key to success.

www.univadis.in

Univadis, a medical education website, to be launched in India
Rupali Mukherjee,TNN | Jun 27, 2014, 07.29 PM IST


Pharma company MSD announced the launch of Univadis, a medical education website in India to empower and equip healthcare physicians with information and developments in the medical world. The interactive Univadis service will be a one-stop shop, and provide a wealth of medical resources, powerful tools, and accredited education courses from independent sources, exclusively for healthcare professionals through the website `www.univadis.in'.

Univadis is an online resource for healthcare professionals that has been launched in over 40 countries, is available in 17 languages with over 20 million registered users worldwide. MSD is depending on the growing internet connectivity in remote towns, and net browsing habit of healthcare professionals, MSD MD KG Ananthakrishnan said, adding that this was yet another effort by the company to further the cause of medical education for doctors.
MSD has collaborated with leading medical journal, The Lancet, to bring content in the form of articles, news, research papers, medical advancements, videos, and educational tools.

An advisory board of 12 doctors has been set up in the country, which will decide the content for the India-specific website.

condom uses moral.............

Sorry, Dr Harsh Vardhan, condom use is not a 'morality' issue

by Shruti Dhapola Jun 25, 2014 12:23 IST


“You don’t need them in all situations, not when you’re in a committed relationship,” he says. “I disagree, that’s when you need them the most,” I say.

The conversation ends, but I feel like a failure for not having converted another person to my steadfast rule: Always use a condom. Not just in cases of casual sex, but also in a committed relationship. Why? Mostly because condoms are effective against HIV, AIDS, unwanted pregnancy and other STDs 97 percent of the time. Plus they make sure that if your partner does break your trust, you don't end up with a broken heart and a sexually transmitted disease.

Condoms are the cheapest, most effective tool for safe sex. It is and ought to be promoted by every health professional to combat AIDS, unsafe abortions, and every kind of STD -- unless, of course, you are India's new health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan.

In an interview to New York Times he said, “The thrust of the AIDS campaign should not only be on the use of condoms. This sends the wrong message that you can have any kind of illicit sexual relationship, but as long as you’re using a condom, it’s fine.”

And he’s already started to crack down on this excessive talk about condoms. According to Economic Times, Dr Harsh Vardhan, “has already issued orders to the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) advising them “to tone down the emphasis on use of condoms and instead promote morals to tackle the disease.”

A message that is likely to be well-received since, according to the NYT piece, VK Subburaj, head of NACO the agency also thinks that the "moral fabric" of Indian society is "becoming very thin."

Subburaj also told ET that the emphasis on condoms will be there for high-risk groups like men who have sex with men, but "for the general public the minister has asked to stress on morals like being faithful, not indulging in pre-marital and extra-marital sex."

Representational image. AFP

The Health minister's policy directive is both bizarre and ironic given that his Prime Minister spared no effort to promote the use of condoms and contraceptive pills in order to promote family planning in Gujarat back in 2006.

As this Telegraph report from 2006 points out,

“Modi has lent his face to huge crates of condom and contraceptive pills that have suddenly appeared in every ration shop across Gujarat. The shopkeepers have been asked to open the boxes before every customer, man or woman, of the appropriate age and persuade them to take their pick. Early reports suggest that many customers have found the 'gimmick' in bad taste.”

Bad taste or not -- and Modi condom jokes aside -- the move suggested a commitment to contraception use that is laudable. Other than deterring unwanted pregnancies, AIDS, condoms also protects against other sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, chancroid, gonorrhoea, hepatitis B, herpes, HPV (which can lead to cervical cancer in some cases) pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), syphilis trichomoniasis to name a few. And that isn't to mention the benefit of safe sex without going on the pill, which can interfere with a woman's menstruation cycle, hormonal balance, and have a number of unpleasant side-effects.

For Harsh Vardhan to complain about an "over-emphasis" on condoms in 2014 is not just retrograde but near-unprecedented. Condom use has been aggressively promoted -- including airing Nirodh ads on stuffy socialist era Doordarshan -- by politicians as part of family planning campaigns. When morality wasn't an issue for population control programs, why should it now become a part of a conversation about AIDS?

To be clear, Harsh Vardhan is not against condom use per se. He's just promoting a little bit of faithfulness, and that there's nothing wrong with that. The idea of abstinence as anti-AIDS tool is nothing new. As Anjali Gopalan of Naz foundation, an organisation that works with HIV patients told Economic Times, “the idea of Abstinence, Be faithful, Use a condom (ABC) approach has been around for long, but doesn't always work.” She also adds, "Just because condom is available, not everyone starts having sex. Either ways you need to promote condom use."

But the minister went far beyond the ABC model as a public health strategy to take a strong moral position, saying his ministry wants to promote "the integrity of the sexual relationship between husband and wife" as "part of our culture."

It is both wrong and dangerous to allow moral values -- which may or may not be shared by others -- to drive public health policy. And it is inevitably a recipe for failure, much like the Republican-era abstinence programs which abysmally failed to bring down teenage pregnancy rates.

Health initiatives fail when they preach, they succeed when they educate. And any education about safe sex must necessarily emphasise condom use. Besides, all this talk about "our culture" ignores the stark reality of how Indians actually behave.

We don't need 4 Seasons of Emotional Atyachar to show us that Indians like to play the field. As author Ira Trivedi noted in Outlook , her extensive research reveals a nation in the midst of a major sexual revolution. "My findings included reports that premarital sex in urban areas is on the rise and is currently at an estimated 75 per cent in the 18-24 age bracket," she writes, adding, "The changes that we see in Indian sexual culture today are the most significant that we have seen since colonial times."

Nor is this a new story. As Prabha Nagaraja, Executive Director, TARSHI told the ET, "Sex happens in India irrespective of cultural taboos as we have found in our work, especially the helpline that ran for 13 years (1996-2009) and attended to over 60,000 calls."

Now Harsh Vardhan may find these trends distressing, even appalling, but he must not use his position as Health Minister to fight them. It is simply not in his job description. Maybe it's time his Prime Minister told him so.

doctors to 62 years

Odisha enhances retirement age of doctors to 62 years
Press Trust of India | Bhubaneswar June 23, 2014 Last Updated at 21:37 IST

Faced with acute shortage of doctors in the state, the Odisha government today announced a raise in the retirement age limit for physicians working in government hospitals to 62 years.

Earlier, government doctors used to retire at the age of 60 years. However, the government's decision would not be applicable for the homeopathy and unani doctors working in state-run hospitals, an official release said.

The announcement was made in the Odisha Assembly by Health and Family Welfare minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak.

Nayak said, the state government had earlier enhanced the retirement age of the doctors working in three state-run medical colleges from 60 years to 65 years.

Sources said of the 4,805 sanctioned strength of doctors, about 1,000 posts remained vacant for a long time while about 950 doctors were on leave.

Hakim Nabina devoted his life to heal the ailing

THE HINDU
Updated: June 22, 2014 17:51 IST
Down Memory Lane
Of healing and healers
R. V. SMITH


An unsung hero, Hakim Nabina devoted his life to heal the ailing

Hakim Nabina has passed into legend. Three years older than Hakim Ajmal Khan, one was reminded of him when Ajmal Khan’s great-granddaughter came for admission to Hamdard University last week, accompanied by her father. While Ajmal Khan’s name lives on beyond his ancestral haveli, Sharif Manzil in Ballimaran, Hakim Nabina had no fixed abode and believed to have been born in the Walled City too, got most of his fame in South Delhi where he was brought by some dealers in Unani medicine.

Born in the same year as Rabindranath Tagore, he was 105 when Dr. S. A. Ali of Hamdard met him in 1965 to seek medication for a digestive problem. The hakim, who had probably been born blind or had lost his vision in childhood, felt the patient’s pulse and diagnosed that his heart and liver were in good trim but not his digestive system. “Did you by any chance eat arbi (yams)?” he enquired. Dr Ali confessed that he had in fact had a piece of the vegetable though he was not fond of it. The hakim told him to have light food in future and prescribed some medicine which cured his ailment. Syed Ausaf Ali, himself an octogenarian now, says Nabina lived at Hazrat Pattey Shah’s dargah, behind Humayun’s Tomb. What he prescribed was dispensed by dealers in Unani drugs. When someone complained that the charges were very high, he advised them not to go to the dispensers but take medicine from him directly.

Pattey Shah or the saint amid tree leaves was actually named Shamsuddin Ataullah and died in AD 1300 during the reign of Alauddin Khilji. He got the nickname because whenever Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya visited his khanqah or hospice, he would hide behind bushes and tree leaves, saying he was not worthy of coming face-to-face with the Auliya. This is what has been affirmed in Sadia Dehlvi’s book on the Dargahs of Delhi. It is said that the Shah belonged to the Chishti silsila or order of saints. “During the day he would light a fire and cover himself with its ashes, while at night he slept in a grave-like hollow (something emulated by the eccentric Spanish painter Salvador Dali, who spent his nights in a coffin). When he died Hazrat Nizamuddin led the funeral prayers as per the Shah’s last wish. Hakim Nabina seems to have developed a spiritual rapport with Pattey Shah and lived most of his long life at the latter’s shrine. When he died is not known but it was probably during Indira Gandhi’s first prime ministership, which would mean that he was nearly 110 years old at that time.

The hakim is not to be confused with Hafiz Nabina Doliwale, the blind mendicant who lived under a tree near the southern gate of the Jama Masjid. Nobody knew his real name also, except that he was one who could recite the Quran by heart (Hafiz), was blind (Nabina), wore no clothes and loved to travel free in a doli or palanquin. He and Hakim Nabina were both born in the same year (1860), when Bahadur Shah Zafar was passing his last days in Rangoon. But Hafiz Nabina died at the age of 87 much before the hakim sahib. Everybody in the city knew him and he also finds mention in Ahmed Ali’s “Twilight in Delhi” as he often visited the hero of the book, Mir Nihal. He was regarded as a majzoob (a man possessed), lost in himself and supposed to be in contact with the jinns, without much care for hygiene.

However Hakim Nabina, despite his mystical leanings, never gave the impression that he was a majzoob. His direct communion was with Pattey Shah and he passed his life in the service of those who came to him to be healed. That he could tell a patient what his illness was merely by touching him and pointing out, “Thou ailest here and here,” was a sign of his deep knowledge of human nature and anatomy and the Unani system of medication. Like Hafiz Nabina, he was a recluse but of a different sort who did not discard the ways of the world in matters of dress, behaviour and etiquette. Old-timers remember him as a worthy contemporary of Hakim Ajmal Khan, who had acquired the halo of Massiha (messiah) of the ailing populace!

Ayush department of Karnataka government in a bind

Central Council of Indian Medicine fiat puts Ayush department of Karnataka government in a bind
Jaideep Shenoy,TNN | Jun 22, 2014, 06.32 PM IST


MANGALORE: A fiat by Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) directing students to compulsorily pass Urdu entrance examination before seeking admission to Unani course has put the state government in a bind. A directive by department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) to introduce this rule from the current academic year as per the above fiat has left the Karnataka Examinations Authority in confusion.

Moving in to damage control mode from media reports in this regard, minister for health and family welfare U T Khader who go in touch with Vijayakumar Gogi, director, AYUSH and sough clarifications said the department is merely acting on instructions from the Council. "Urdu and Arabic is the base to understanding the nuances of this system of medicine based on which the Council has come out with such a recommendation," Khader said.

Noting that examination, as and when it is held will be a basic test of a student's knowledge of Urdu taught at the 10th standard level, Khader said he would get in touch with Dr Harsha Vardhan, union minister for health and sort out this confusion. "It does not make sense to implement such a rule without due notice," Khader said, adding the department would appeal to the union minister to defer its implementation by at least three years.

Incidentally, this CCIM passed this directive when the UPA government was in power and this makes the situation all the more piquant for the department of AYUSH in general and the state government in particular. The department wrote a letter to KEA to conduct the Urdu examination leaving the latter non-plussed. Faced with the prospects of implementing it, the minister now feels that it is best left for Dr Harsha Vardhan to take a call on it.

Initially directing Gogi to keep the file on this directive pending, Khader later said it makes sense to thrash out a solution by discussing the issue with the union ministry of health. "We can ask the principals of respective unani colleges to conduct the test at their level," he said, adding the modalities of the same will be discussed and implemented so as to best protect the interests of students who opt for unani course through Common Entrance Test.

travel every month to treat patients

At 82, he travels to remote villages every month to treat patients
Written by Anuradha Mascarenhas | Pune | June 20, 2014 3:59 am

Dr S L Kate during a function at Sane Guruji Hospital in Hadapsar on Thursday. (Pavan Khengre)
Summary
He has worked for more than five decades, detecting patients and pleading with govts to set up treatment units for them
A first for India: Unrelated cord blood transplant treats sickle cell disease
Staff shortage forcing private hospitals to hire ‘doctors’ with no degrees
Children deaths in Gorakhpur: A dissolving faith,an enduring mystery
At 82, Dr S L Kate feels he still hasn’t done enough for patients with sickle-cell disease. Once every month he travels to the remotest village of Roshmal Budruk in Dhadgaon taluka to help find new ways and means to alleviate their pain – the latest being the centre’s Ayurveda Unani Siddha Homeopathy (AYUSH) project to find a drug formulation prepared from bel fruit (wood apple) that can help improve the quality of life of these patients.
“Estimates show that of the 1.5-lakh tribal population in Dhadgaon, at least 20 per cent are sickle-cell disease carriers and one per cent are sufferers. There are at least 153 villages in Dhadgaon, and we have reached out to five- six patients in each village, offering counselling, blood tests and other laboratory investigations,” Kate told Newsline. It is a hilly terrain located between the third and sixth ranges of Satpura, 600 km from Pune, where 96 per cent of the population belongs to tribal groups.
“It takes more than 16 hours to reach the village, but bi-monthly sickle-cell diagnostic and treatment camps are conducted,” said Dr Gunvant Yeola, who along with other team members accompany Kate to help patients with sickle-cell anaemia. Four years ago, UNESCO declared June 19 as World Sickle Day. In sickle-cell anaemia, the most common form of the disease, the body forms sickle-shaped red blood cells that contain abnormal haemoglobin. These red blood cells are less functional and block the flow of blood, causing pain and organ damage, Yeola explained.
When sickle-cell disease was first identified in 1948, patients did not have much hope to live past childhood. While National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) has taken up the sickle-cell disease as a healthcare concern, much needs to be done in terms of genetic counselling and intervention programmes, experts said.
“In the absence of a cure, most of the patients lead a miserable life. This is my passion, and I hope to help curb the spread of sickle-cell anaemia,” said Kate,who has worked for more than five decades identifying the disease, detecting patients and pleading with successive governments to set up treatment units for them. As a lecturer at B J Medical College, he visited Bhils and Pawaras tribal communities in Dhule, and subsequently joined Dr S T alias Dada Gujar at the Maharashtra Arogya Mandal in Hadapsar to provide better healthcare facilities to patients.
According to a survey, the estimated number of people suffering from sickle-cell anaemia is nearly 2.5 lakh across Maharashtra, while there are 10 lakh in the country. At a function organised on the occasion of World Sickle Cell Day at Sane Guruji Hospital in Hadapsar on Thursday, Dr R M Dhere, scientist at Serum Institute of India, handed over the key of a utility and travel