AYUSH in All Indian research council

Good Clinical Practice Guidelines published by AYUSH Ministry for clinical trials of Ayurveda, Siddha & Unani drugs

There are four Research Councils under the Ministry of AYUSH Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Central Council for Research in Unani Medicines (CCRUM), Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) and Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) with the mandate to undertake research towards discovery of new drugs under AYUSH systems of medicine.

Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathic drugs are regulated through the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, which is a Central Act uniformly applicable throughout the country. Rules 85-A to 85-I and Rules 151 to 159 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 provide the regulatory provisions for grant of licenses to manufacture Homoeopathic and Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani drugs and promote their safety and quality respectively. The standards of Homoeopathic medicines to be complied with are prescribed in Schedule II of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani drugs in Rule 168 of Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.

There are two appellate Laboratories, namely, Pharmacopoeial Laboratory for Indian Medicine (PLIM) and Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeial Laboratory (HPL) set up by the Central Government in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, which are functioning as standard setting cum drug-testing laboratories for Indian Medicines and Homoeopathy respectively.

Ministry of AYUSH has also published Good Clinical Practice Guidelines for conducting clinical trial for new Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani (ASU) drugs.

The Council for Scientific Industrial Research (CSIR) also have their in-house programmes to develop herbal products based on AYUSH knowledge.

The National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB) supports Research and Development projects on various aspect of medicinal plants like Survey-cum-documentation of medicinal plants and associated traditional knowledge on medicinal plants; standardization of Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACPs); development of Agro-techniques, development of phytochemical reference standards, monographs; laying down standards of quality, safety and efficacy, and quality assurance.

The other departments/organizations of Government of India viz. Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) also supports Research and Development activities on various aspects of Medicinal Plants.

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik in written reply in Lok Sabha today.

AYUSH into AAYUSSH

AAYUSH or AYUSSH? AYUSH minister to consider

AYUSH, an acronym for Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy, could do with a change of name to include more traditional schools of medicine prevalent in India.

Written by Avishek G Dastidar  New Delhi Published:December 19, 2015 2:43 am (The Indian Express)

What’s in a name? A lot, when it comes to propagation of traditional branches of medicine by the government, as the Lok Sabha Friday saw MPs making demands to alter the name of the newly formed AYUSH ministry. AYUSH, an acronym for Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy, could do with a change of name to include more traditional schools of medicine prevalent in India for “thousands of years”, two MPs, from Andhra Pradesh and Ladakh, demanded in Lok Sabha during Question Hour before Shripad Naik, who heads the new ministry. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1429260192255-0'); }); Rising to ask a question, TDP MP Ravindra Babu demanded that an extra ‘A’ be added to the name to make it AAYUSH to recognise acupuncture. “There is an Indian acupuncture medical system wherein there is no administration of any medicine; there are no side effects… It is relieving a lot of small ailments like backache, sciatica, cervical pain,” he said. “I already made a request to the minister to include acupuncture as part of AYUSH, so that it will become AAYUSH. I would request the hon. minister, through you, Madam (Speaker), to include acupuncture in AYUSH so that our native medicines get encouragement in the international arena,” he said, drawing laughter from both sides of the political divide. Babu claimed that acupuncture was invented in India and adopted by China. “It has already gone to China; it has become very popular. Please include acupuncture also in AYUSH,” he added, as a few MPs backed him. Naik replied that his ministry would consider the matter. “A lot of ‘pathies’ seek our recognition,” he said. For Thupstan Chhewang, BJP MP from Ladakh, the name AYUSH should have an extra ‘S’, as in “AYUSSH”, to encourage Sowa-Rigpa, the traditional Tibetan medicine practiced, according to Chhewang, in Ladakh and other Himalayan areas. “The ministry has not done anything to encourage it. One way is to add an ‘S’ to the name and also make a university for its research,” he said. Steering clear of assuring that his ministry’s name would be tweaked, Naik said the work to recognise Sowa-Rigpa has “progressed a lot”. “I can say that it will get recognition and then, wherever it is in vogue, the government will encourage it,” he said.

G-5 The Ayush Medicines

Ayush 'festival of wellness' in Mangaluru on Saturday
Bengaluru, Dec 17, 2015, dhns
deccanherald Thursday 17 December 2015
News updated at 2:21 PM IST

A ‘Festival of Wellness’, aimed at revitalising the Ayush sector (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Sidda and Homoeopathy), will be held in Mangaluru on December 19 and 20.

The two-day Ayush Habba, organised by the State Ayush department, the Dakshina Kannada district administration and the Ayush Foundation, Mangaluru, is expected to attract over 25,000 participants, Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader told reporters in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Dr Shivarama Karanth Pilikula Nisargadhama has been chosen as the venue for the event, which will act as a catalyst for promoting traditional systems of medicine by bringing them on a common platform in an attempt to popularise the Ayush systems among the general public, he said.

The festival will kick off with a walkathon on December 17 and culminate in a ‘Yoga for all’ session by students of various Ayush schools and colleges.

One of the main attractions of the Habba will be the Ayush food festival where nutritious organic food, including varieties of traditional Mangalurean cuisine, will be served.

There will be a free health camp, yoga sessions, lifestyle workshops, Ayush quiz, home remedies and diet regimes, agro meet and herbal exhibition, and cultural programmes.

Various breeds of cattle, along with the benefits of Panchagaya medicines - use of cow products such as ‘gomutra’, ‘gomaya’, ‘goksheera’, ‘godadhi’ and ‘goritha’ - will also be showcased. Cosmetic clinics will be set up where experts will perform beauty enhancement therapies.

Khader said Ayush Arogya cards will be distributed at the festival, which can be used by patients at various Ayush college hospitals to avail medicines and treatments at a discount.

AYUSH action plan 2015-2016

Action Plan to Promote Ayush Systems of Medicine
northern voice online 16.12.2015

Action Plan to Promote Ayush Systems of Medicine

Government of India has approved and notified National AYUSH Mission (NAM) on 29th September 2014 in the States/UTs during 12th Plan. The basic objective of NAM is to promote AYUSH medical systems through cost effective AYUSH services, strengthening of educational institutions, facilitate the enforcement of quality control of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani& Homoeopathy (ASU&H) drugs and sustainable availability of ASU&H raw materials. Under NAM, there is provision for financial assistance to States/UTs for its different components/activities.

The three new Institutes viz. All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda & Homoeopathy, Shillong and North Eastern Institute of Folk Medicine, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh are in advance stage of construction. The details of these Institutes are as under:-

(i) All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi.

An apex Institute of Ayurveda with 200 bedded referral hospital to impart education in the field of Ayurveda at M.D. and Ph.Dlevel.

(ii) North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda & Homoeopathy (NEIAH), Shillong:

A state of the art Institute consisting of Ayurveda College and Homoeopathy College along with attached hospital of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy of 100 beds and 50 beds. The institute will provide under-graduate, post-graduate, doctoral and post-doctoral teaching.

(iii)North Eastern Institute of Folk Medicine(NEIFM), Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh:

It is a Centre of Excellence and Apex Research Centre for all aspects of Folk Medicine knowledge with linkage and collaboration with other research. The objective of the Institute is to provide better medical/clinical facilities in North Eastern Region.

Under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM), Government of India provided financial assistance to the tune of Rs.1688.88 lakhs to the Government of Rajasthan in current financial year for different components/activities under NAM, as per their State Annual Action Plan. In addition, a sum of Rs.320.17 Lakhs has been provided to the State Government of Rajasthan under Central Sector Scheme of “Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants” in the current financial year.

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH,
Shri ShripadYesso Naik in written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
…………

traditional medicine into the domain of allopathic science

Ministry of AYUSH to integrate allopathic and traditional forms of medicine
Friday, 11 December 2015 - 8:10am IST | Place: New Delhi | Agency: dna | From the print edition

Bringing traditional medicine into the domain of allopathic science, the ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) has announced several projects looking into its "efficacy" in various ailments. In Parliament, minister for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik said that the Central Council for Research in Homeopathy had undertaken clinical studies on "chikungunya and influenza like illnesses" and the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS) and Central Council for Research in Unani Medicines(CCRUM) had signed MOUs with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for joint collaborative projects on Ayurvedic and Unani formulations related to treatment of Dengue and Tuberculosis (TB) respectively.

Speaking to dna, Director General of the ICMR, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, said that there was much government encouragement to find ways of integrating allopathic and traditional forms of medicine. ICMR, she said would be responsible for generating and collecting sound data and evidence.

The MOU with the Unani council was signed two years ago under the aegis of the then DG, VM Katoch, who had written to all other institutions to cooperate. Swaminathan, then Director at the National Institute of Research in Tuberculosis, had held meetings with the Unani council to go over the compounds they said might help in TB.

"However, we decided that the treatment for tuberculosis had to be allopathic," said Swaminathan. What Unani could offer was relief with side effects, help build a patient's appetite, weight, make their jaundiced liver healthier.
This resulted in formulations of protocols and, so far, trials are being carried for the safety of these unani formulations in "animal models". The next step will be to test the interaction of the formulations with existing TB drugs, on volunteers. If that goes well, then the trials will move to giving these formulations to TB patients.

"The dengue project is recent and came about after the recent outbreak," said Swaminathan. she recounted that the Ayurveda council had advertised a list of herbal remedies for dengue during the outbreak, and Swaminathan spoke to Ayush officials about validating these remedies. "If they work then we can out them out in a global market," she said.

Due to this conversation, two teams comprising allopathic and ayurvedic professionals were set up to, again, form protocols and chart a way of carrying out these studies in allopathic hospitals. "Currently it's in the preliminary stages and we're looking at four to five hospitals across India to test certain ayurvedic formulations. Right now they're testing the batches for purity and quality," said Swaminathan. After this, they need to approach the ethics committee.

"Ayurveda hasn't offered a cure for dengue, but increased symptomatic relief," she added saying that maybe antiviral activity could be observed in these formulations. "We need to have such clinical trials, similar to how siddha medicine is being tested in a lab in Chennai for antiviral activities."

President bats for AYUSH

President bats for AYUSH centres at IITs Mukherjee, who is head of all higher education institutes funded by the Centre, said this during the conference of all heads of IITs, NITs and central universities in the first week of November. -

New Delhi Published:December 7, 2015 1:38 am The IndianExpress

President Pranab Mukherjee, who recently got the department of traditional Indian medicine (or AYUSH) to set up a wellness centre in the President’s estate, has suggested that all centrally-funded institutions should follow suit. Mukherjee, who is head of all higher education institutes funded by the Centre, said this during the conference of all heads of IITs, NITs and central universities in the first week of November. “It will deliver the benefits of alternate systems of medicine to higher education networks, and lead to its further refinement, innovation and research,” stated the minutes of the conference. 

Ayurvedic and Unani formulation to treat Dengue and Tuberculosis

CCRAS, CCRUM and ICMR collaborate for Ayurvedic and Unani formulation to treat Dengue and Tuberculosis
December 4, 2015 Last Updated at 00:20 IST (BusinessStandard)

Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS) and Central Council for Research in Unani Medicines(CCRUM) have signed MOUs with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for joint collaborative projects on Ayurvedic and Unani formulations related to treatment of Dengue and Tuberculosis respectively.

Research Councils under Government of India are conducting clinical studies to evaluate the efficacy of Ayurvedic, Unani and Homoeopathic medicines in various ailments.

Government has set up Central Research Councils with 80 field units distributed across the country for promoting scientific validation and efficacy evaluation studies of Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathic medicines. Though the term Clinical Trial as such is not prescribed in the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules there under pertaining to Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathic medicines, yet Ministry of AYUSH has taken steps for facilitating clinical trials in AYUSH, like publication of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines, issuing directive for registration of AYUSH clinical trials in Clinical Trials Registry of India, setting up of an Expert Committee to make recommendations for grant of approval to new clinical trial proposals and implementation of a central sector scheme of extra-mural research for supporting scientific exploration of AYUSH interventions and remedies in various medical and other R&D institutions. Also, Rule 158-B has been inserted in the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 for seeking the proof of effectiveness and safety of certain categories of Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani medicines as a licensing requirement. Similarly, prior to licensing of new homoeopathic medicines there is a statutory requirement of documentary and other evidence of therapeutic efficacy including the minimum proving carried out with them.

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik in reply to an unstarred question in LokSabha today.

Unani medicines exporter- AMU

AMU finds offshore market for its Unani medicines in US, China -

At present, Tibbiya College manufactures nearly 450 types of Unani medicines and has an annual turnover of over Rs 90 crore. -

                                                                Aligarh Muslim University


VERY SOON, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) could be seen exporting Unani medicines manufactured at its Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College to the US, China and other countries. The university has already dispatched samples of its famous brain tonic ‘Dimagheen’ and several other khamiras (fermented confection) and arqs (sap) to Mercer University in Atlanta for testing. It will approach the US for export permit after proper certification. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1429260192255-0'); }); A Chinese delegation from Uyghur Medicine Research Centre in Xinjiang had also reportedly visited the AMU. It had inspected the Tibbiya College and expressed interest in developing a trade relationship with the AMU. The university is eyeing north America and European Union (EU) countries for exporting unani medicines. At present, Tibbiya College manufactures nearly 450 types of Unani medicines and has an annual turnover of over Rs 90 crore. “We are seriously considering to enter the international market. We have already started the process of getting certification in the US. Once it is done, it will be easier to enter North American and even the EU market. We will complete all formalities for exporting medicines from India. A Chinese team had come on its own and is eager to enter into an agreement,” Brig (retd) S A Ali, Pro-Vice Chancellor of AMU, said. Claiming that the demand for Unani medicines was on rise, he said that AMU was not being able to meet the demands of some of its own medicines. “We understand that we have to turn professional to face the market and increase our production. Already, we have got a new factory constructed on the campus. We will soon set up fully-automatic machines. I have personally visited an expo in Mumbai to finalise the machines. Professionals will be recruited to run the factory,” Ali said. The Tibbiya College was established as part of AMU in 1927 and offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Unani medicine. It also offers OPD services and maintains an indoor hospital with 95 beds. At present, it has nearly a dozen departments. Commonly, it is also known as ‘AMU Dawakhana’, where it boasts of receiving the most number of OPD patients in any unani hospital. -

Demand for Unani institute at Karimganj

 Dainik Asam  Guwahati, Sunday, November 22, 2015


Demand for Unani institute at Karimganj

NILAMBAZAR, Nov 21 - The Karimganj Citizen's Action Forum has submitted a memorandum to the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, demanding establishment of a regional institute of Unani medicine at Karimganj.
In the memorandum, the Action Forum said that the Central Council for the Research Institute of Unani Medicine, an organisation under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India decided to establish a regional research institute of Unani medicine at Karimganj and Government of Assam had accordingly allotted a plot of land at Kanishail area. The Settlement Officer, Karimganj on September 15, 1994 acquired the land to establish the said institute. Subsequently, the Director of the Central Council for Unani medicine and research directed the Chief Engineer, Central PWD Shillong for preparing the plans and estimates.

It is to be mentioned here that an amount of Rs 18 crore was sanctioned for the construction of the building. Accordingly all the preparations were made, but subsequently the director, CCRUM, New Delhi, without any notice and cognizable ground allegedly illegally and arbitrarily reviewed the proposal and decided to establish the said institute at Silchar.

The members of the Citizens Action Forum urged the Health and Family Welfare Minister regarding reconsideration of the shifting proposal for development of the backward district of Karimganj. Habibur Rahaman Choudhury, president, Mahasweta Chakraborty, vice-president, Dipankar Ghosh, general secretary, Bivash Bardhan, secretary, BR Khan, Sona Mia, Ashim Deb, Badrul Hoque Choudhary, members of the Action Forum were present among others.

7 PC - 15 highlights 2015

The much-awaited Seventh Pay Commission submitted its report on Thursday, recommending a 23.55 per cent increase in salary, allowances and pension in what was a mega post-Diwali bonanza for nearly 47 lakh central government employees and 52 lakh pensioners. Here are the highlights of the recommendations:

1. The new pay structure will be implemented from January 1, 2016, which means the government will have no arrears to pay.


2. 16 per cent hike in basic pay, 63 per cent rise in allowances.


3. Annual increment constant at 3 per cent. 52 allowances have been abolished, while another 36 have been merged with existing allowances.


4. The maximum salary under the new policy would be Rs 2.5 lakh per month, Rs 18,000 to be the minimum pay.


5. In the 6th pay commission, the maximum was Rs 90,000, while the minimum pay was Rs 6,600.


6. The actual hike, however, is more modest because there has been a 119 per cent hike in Daily Allowance since the 6th pay commission was implemented ten years ago.


7. Insurance amounts in group insurance raised massively to up to Rs 50 lakh. Premium deduction set to rise.


8. 24 per cent rise in pension to Rs 1,76,300 crore, an increase of Rs 33,700 crore.


9.Virtual one-rank-one-pension for civilian employees and paramilitary staff too. Army veterans had raised the first call, recently leading a massive protest in New Delhi and other places.


10. Heads of regulatory bodies dealing with telecom, capital and futures market, insurance, power and airports to get a consolidated pay of Rs 4.50 lakh per month.


11. Significant rise in the Military Service Pay (MSP), which is a compensation for various aspects of military service.


12. In order to make armed forces more attractive to the youth, the panel has proposed gratuity and a fully-funded one-year course at premier institutions like the IITs and the IIMs.


13. Short service commissioned officers now allowed to exit Army at any point in time between 7-10 years of service.


14. Performance-linked incentives, as is the practice in the private sector, has also been suggested for the central government employees.


15. No more interest-free loans for the central government employees.

examination & re-evaluation

Four months after suicide, failed student declared class topper
Friday, 13 November 2015 - 2:42pm IST | Agency: PTI (dna)

Distraught after being declared failed in his favourite subject, a 17-year-old electronics engineering student had committed suicide but four months on a re-evaluation has found that he not only passed the subject but topped his class.

The "callous" evaluation process has left the parents of Mohammad Adnan Hilal numbed, who feel that it is not a case of suicide but "murder" as their son actually secured 48 marks in Physics and not 28 as declared earlier.
With the re-evaluation, Hilal, a first semester student of electronic engineering at Government Polytechnic College in Srinagar, secured around 70% aggregate marks in the first semester of the course, making him the class topper.

However, it took authorities four long months to realise Hilal's correct score.

In Jammu and Kashmir, 33 out of 100 is the minimum marks required to pass an examination.

Declared failed in Physics, a subject his family and friends claim he had mastery over, Adnan committed suicide in June soon after he checked his results on Internet. He jumped into River Jhelum and his body was fished out four days later.

Adnan's father, Hilal Ahmad Gilkar says his son's death was not a suicide but a "murder" as he was forced to take the extreme step by the callousness of some people in the system.

"It is a murder and people responsible for it need to be identified and acted against as per the service rules of the government," said Gilkar as tears rolled down his eyes.

Shattered by the loss of his son, Gilkar, recalls how his son had told him that he had answered all the questions in the Physics paper with ease.

"When Adnan returned in the evening on the day of his examination, he informed me that he did well in Physics paper.

"He told me there was no continuation sheet at the examination center so he had to write the rest of the answers on another answer sheet. He was confident that he had done well," Gilkar, a guest faculty at Institute of Management and Public Administration (IMPA) here, said.

After the death of his son, Gilkar applied for re-evaluation of his son's Physics answer paper and was pushed further into grief as Adnan was declared pass in the paper The Jammu and Kashmir State Board of Technical Education (JKSBOTE), while admitting it as a "mistake", said, "Such things happen in other universities as well".

Tibb-e-Nabawi

Jamia Nizamia assures to popularize Prophet’s Medicine

November 9, 2015 Hyderabad

Hyderabad: The companions of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) made use of the prescriptions given by him and got their ailments cured. Today, people are wonderstruck by carrying out research on those prescriptions. The life of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) indicates that he had stressed the need for taking precautions to avoid illnesses. There is a need to follow the teachings of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Jamia Nizamia would certainly popularize Prophet’s system of cure. In the past, the curriculum of Jamia Nizamia included Unani medicine on the lines of Prophet’s way of treatment. This enabled the students of Jamia Nizamia to master Unani system of medicine along with getting Islamic education.

These thoughts were expressed by Mufti Khaleel Ahmed, VC of Jamia Nizamia while addressing a national level seminar on Unani Medicine organized by All India Tibbi Conference of Hyderabad. Delegates from Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra and other states participated in the seminar. Hakeem Munnawar Husain welcomed the Unani doctors. Maulana Khaleel Ahmed released the souvenir. Tabiba Aasia Naveed, Principal of Nizamia Tibbi College told that the time has come to link Prophet’s medicine (Tibb-e-Nabawi) with Unani system of medicine. Hakeem Syed Ghousuddin, former Advisor to Govt. highlighted the use and advantages of “Kalonji”. He told that for the past two years, Siasat Urdu Daily has been organizing Hijama Camps. Hakeem Syed Samiuddin Mateen conducted the meeting.

Ayush Doctors meet Union Minister 9.11.20115

AYUSH docs meet Union Min  (the pioneer)
Monday, 09 November 2015 | Staff Reporter | Bhopal | in Bhopal

A delegation of the AYUSH doctors called on Union Minister Shripad Yesso Naik on Sunday and handed over a six point charter of demands memorandum to him. Naik was in the city to participate in a program.

The delegation of the AYUSH doctors was led by Central Council for Indian Medicine (CCIM) member Dr Yusuf Khalil Hussaini and Central Council of Homoeopathy (CCH) member Dr Mohammed Zakariya.

The demands of the doctors include salary anomalies of AYUSH doctors and salary related problems in National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), creation of posts for AYUSH doctors in Railways, establishment of Unani research institute and others. The delegation also demanded to organise a convention of AYUSH doctors of the state from the minister.

The Minister assured the delegation that discussions on their demands area already going on and soon they would be resolved.

BGR-34 Anti-Dibetic by CSIR

Scientifically validated Rs 5 anti-diabetes herbal drug launched by CSIR
Neha Shukla,TNN | Oct 26, 2015, 01.58 AM IST (Times of India)

LUCKNOW: A scientifically validated anti-diabetes herbal drug, named 'BGR-34', was launched by a Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) lab in Lucknow on Sunday. A combination of natural extracts from plants, the drug is based on Ayurveda and has no side effects. The drug is for management of type-II diabetes mellitus.

The drug has been jointly developed by two CSIR laboratories, National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and Central Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plant (CIMAP). It was launched on the 62nd annual day of the NBRI for commercial manufacturing and marketing by M/s Aimil Pharamaceuticals Pvt Ltd, New Delhi.

"The drug has extracts from four plants mentioned in Ayurveda and that makes it safe," said Dr AKS Rawat, senior principal scientist, NBRI. It has been tested on animals and scientific study has found it safe and effective, with clinical trials showing 67% success.

The drug boosts immune system, works as antioxidant and checks free radicals. Though there are other anti-diabetes herbal drugs in the market, 'BGR-34' has been validated scientifically.

The drug will help maintain normal blood glucose levels, reduce chances of complications due to persistent high blood glucose levels and impart a good quality life to patients with high blood sugar levels.

The formulation was launched earlier by the Vice-President Hamid Ansari in February last year at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, but on Sunday, the product was launched commercially.

"We will manufacture it now and it will be available in market shortly, may be in the next 15 days," said V S Kapoor, marketing head of Aimil Pharmaceuticals for UP and Delhi. It will be available in the form of tablets and may cost Rs 500 for 100 tablets.

The Calcutta Unani Medical College

Calcutta Unani College staff protest against govt inaction in taking over, salary delay
By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,

Kolkata: The staff at Calcutta Unani Medical College and Hospital face an uncertain future, but they are not sure who to blame for it.

They have been sitting on an indefinite strike since September 3 as they attempt to save Eastern India’s only Unani medical college. Their grievances are aimed largely at the lack of interest on the part of the state government to take over the college despite passing a Bill in the West Bengal Assembly in 2010 which allowed the same. Frustrated by the lack of progress in this regard, 300 people, all members of the college staff, participated in a rally on October 15, Wednesday. The protestors demanded West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to interfere in the matter and implement the Bill passed during the time of
the Left Front.

The college was established in 1994 and run by the All India Tibbi Conference’s West Bengal unit, a non-trading corporation comprising of Unani doctors with philanthropic mission to save and spread awareness of the Unani System of medicine in West Bengal. Muhammad Ayub, Principal, Calcutta Unani Medical College & Hospital, said, “Owing to the fact that there is only one institute of its kind, the college is a godsend opportunity for the meritorious students who desire to study Unani Medicine in this state along with hundreds of patients particularly belonging to the under privileged are benefited through treatment with medicine on a normal charge.”

But the problems of the college are largely-financial, and hence, the urge by the staff to the government, asking them to take over.

It was due to lack of finance that the college, which currently offers the course Kamil-e-Tib-o-Jarahat (BUMS) and offers 40 seats, was unable to start post-graduate courses of Unani Medicine, or even recruit teachers. Ayub added that while there was a yearly grant from the government, it was not sufficient for the purpose of meeting expenditure of development works and payment of salary of teaching and non-teaching staff of the institution. This explains why currently, the staff has not been received salary for three months. Members of the staff added that they were now finding it increasingly difficult to run their homes and that their own children were facing issues in schools due to non-payment of school fees.

Dr Hena Tarique, Department of Pathology, said Unani colleges are controlled by the Central Council of Indian Medicine, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Department of AYUSH, Government of India, which sets standards for running the college and performs yearly inspection for the allowing permission of new admissions. If college fails in fulfilling the criteria, the permission is not granted.

Owing to financial constraints and in order to save the college, the college's governing body had requested the Government to take over the college and hospital, she added.

(Photo: Sanjoy Purkait For TwoCircles.net)

siddha 22 project 2015

Siddha research council gets funds for 22 projects (The Hindu)
Updated: October 19, 2015 05:42 IST

duration of project 1-3 yrs

The Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) has received funding from the Ministry of AYUSH to take up 22 research projects. This includes funds for clinical trials of drugs for osteoarthritis, fibroid uterus, urolithiasis and infertility.

R. S. Ramaswamy , director general of CCRS, Ministry of AYUSH, during his recent visit to Vellore, said 22 research projects were approved last year and CCRS had received the funding to begin work a few months ago.

“The duration of the projects is one to three years. This includes clinical trials for drugs to treat osteoarthritis, fibroid uterus, urolithiasis, sinusitis and infertility. We had completed the animal study for some of the projects,” he told The Hindu.


Units in CCRS

CCRS has five units – Siddha Central Research Institute, Chennai, Siddha Regional Research Institutes at Puducherry and Thiruvananthapuram, Siddha Clinical Research Unit at Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli and Siddha Medicinal Plants Garden at Mettur Dam.

He said there will be single centre studies and multi-centric studies involving the units of CCRS. Digitisation and compilation of herbarium and folklore claims of survey of medicinal plants unit will be taken up.

“We will also be studying folklore medicine. We will be looking at the age-old practices of tribals such as ‘paati vaithiyam’, collect details and see if it can be validated,” he added. The drugs developed will be subjected to animal testing only at the Chennai unit, while drug analysis will be carried out at Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram units, he said.

“We will also be studying folklore medicine. We will be looking at the age-old practices of tribals such as ‘paati vaithiyam’, collect details and see if it can be validated,” he added. The drugs developed will be subjected to animal testing only at the Chennai unit, while drug analysis will be carried out at Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram units, he said.

“We will be studying the efficacy and toxicity of drugs on animals,” he added.

He noted that the funds have been distributed and granted to the research officers/principal investigators, and required equipment for testing of drugs is being arranged.

With CCRS entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with VIT University recently, he said there will be mutual share of infrastructure and facilities.

AYUSH new dept to test drugs

AYUSH plans new dept to test drugs
By Nozia Sayyed, Pune Mirror | Oct 10, 2015, 02.30 AM IST

No tests in the last five years, FDA and dept officials blame one another

While Ayurveda is increasingly been seen as an alternative healing process across the country, the medicines being consumed have not been tested for the past five years.
While the department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), has proposed to start its own drug control department, similar to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, currently, there is a major blame game going on between AYUSH officials from Delhi and Maharashtra and authorities from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Both sides feel that it is the other's responsibility to conduct tests.

Dr Manoj Nesari, adviser, Ayurveda, AYUSH, India, confirmed that the ministry has proposed a whole new department to test Ayurveda drugs, which will also be called DGCI. When asked why the drugs were not tested for so many years, he said, "The individual states are responsible for sampling and testing. However, to overcome this loophole, we plan to initiate a new department so that we are not dependent on FDA or other, similar authorities."

The new department will not only test the drugs, but ensure they are not marketed until they have been passed by DGCI, Nesari added.

Elaborating on how the new department will function and on its progress, another adviser, for Ayurveda, Departmant of AYUSH, Dr DC Katoch, said, "The idea was proposed three months ago, but we haven't got the go-ahead yet. We are still awaiting a formal reply from the ministry and hence cannot reveal too many details."

When state AYUSH director Dr Kuldeep Kohli was asked about drug collecting and contaminated medicines doing the rounds, he said, "Drug testing is totally FDA's responsibility. They should be keeping an eye on the sub-standard and contaminated Ay-urvedic drugs. We don't have the requisite facilities, so we cannot be blamed if Ayurveda medicines that are being consumed are not tested. We have not received any communication from the FDA in many years regarding testing Ayurveda products."

However, Maharashtra FDA joint commissioner for drugs, S Sadhwani, denied the allegation, saying, "We have been collecting and testing samples and have filed cases against people who are selling contaminated or low-quality Ayurveda medicine." When asked how many such cases had been filed and how many samples of Ayurveda drugs tested in the last five years, he said he could not remember.

AYUSH by Allopath

Let us make AYUSH graceful with the grace of allopathic doctors
September 17,2015, 02.09 PM IST | | The Hans India

Promoting ISM (AYUSH) especially to our present generation, the Government needs to develop innovative approaches and methods. Just by self boasting or making incredible promises, credence of ISM cannot be established. Only with proven science and merit, hereafter, the ISM can survive and sustain.

When we make such statement, naturally the question will be asked, then how the ISM has survived all through these years?

The answer is simple that it is blind faith and hope born out of hopelessness only has made many people to try ISM.

Most people who are choosing AYUSH system or its products, not as their natural or first choice for treating or curing diseases but only due to

1. Availability (only ISM practitioners are available in the locality)
2. Hope born of total hopelessness

Certain diseases like Diabetes, Arthritis etc., cannot be cured but only can be managed. That is science.

This science, the allopathic doctors will definitely share to the patients in the beginning itself.

But on the contrary, some AYUSH private practitioners make huge noise that they can cure all such incurable diseases, naturally some people would find hope to experiment ISM for their incurable diseases.

Ironically no one ask how ISM does not have drugs for curable diseases like allopathic system?

People who claim ISM is 3000- 5000 years old must recognize the fact that all through these years until now, ISM is in critical care unit, surviving with life support system? Innovative approach is needed for promoting AYUSH.

Who has brought AYUSH to the present state?

The question is who is betraying the ISM, those who speaks the truth or those who falsifies it?

Is it not those institutionally qualified ISM private practitioners/healers by prescribing allopathic drugs exposes the emptiness of ISM? If ISM has effective drugs, then why some ISM healers in private practice go after scientifically proven allopathic drugs? Is it not wrong on the part of Government to promote a paramedical wellness based AYUSH as system of medicine and giving status equal to globally proven, scientifically tested allopathic system?

Innovative methods not innovation is need of the hour

Time is up for all of us to devise and evolve innovative methods for promoting ISM instead of engaging in blame game, proving who is right and wrong or whether ISM has any merit etc.

The big question is what the science can really prove or bring out from AYUSH?

At best science may prove that some AYUSH products have small medicinal value? But, will that such small medicinal value of some AYUSH products really qualify those products to be called ‘drugs’ for curing and treating diseases’ or such system as system of medicine?

Funding research or big bang research approaches in AYUSH products will not prove anything great either to the system or to the humanity.

Many research organizations may find an easy way to get Government funding in the name of scientific evaluation of some ISM products. Before funding, Government agencies must get an undertaking from the research centres that the findings should be worthy enough to publish in leading journals like Lancet, PNAS, Nature, Science etc. Otherwise the research on AYUSH products is unlikely to bring any great science. Instead, the fund can be used to create better facilities in Government hospitals and giving better remuneration to allopathic doctors to attract them towards rural service.

Innovative methods for promoting ISM is essential than innovation or research in AYUSH.

One of the innovative methods the Government must explore is to involve allopathic doctors in promoting ISM.

How and Why?

How allopathic doctors can be involved in promoting ISM as it lacks science, merit, evidence and convincing usefulness for treating and curing diseases?

No allopathic doctor would like to risk the life of their patients by prescribing some untested faith based ISM products.

How?

Following are the suggestions to the Government

1Declare and re-position ISM as wellness based paramedical system
2.Redefine the ISM products as wellness based products and may have some small medicinal value
3.Remove all toxic metal and mineral based ISM products from ISM
4.Give support and encouragement for allopathic doctors to establish the palliative value ISM products and use them
5.Encourage and support the allopathic doctors to recognize the paramedical values of ISM and to take its service
6.Set up large number of AYUSH wellness centres and create opportunity for ISM healers to offer their paramedical services like massage therapy, panchakarma etc.,
7.Involve ISM practitioners for promoting swachh bharat campaign, community health education, providing wellness insights, moral teachings etc., to people in rural areas
8.Hereafter appoint only allopathic doctors in PHC’s and rural dispensaries
9.Appoint ISM practitioners in rural AYUSH wellness centres

Why?

Some of the ISM products enjoy great respect only because they are recognized and prescribed by allopathic doctors and the best example being Liv52, a product of Himalaya. The century old company Himalaya, the pride of our country; itself promotes its ISM products only under the concept of wellness.

If Government involves allopathic doctors, AYUSH will safely sail through, otherwise it would remain in the turbid pond of false and incredible promises, without offering anything.

But unfortunately, Government in many states are conducting reverse experiment by granting ISM private practitioners the right to practice allopathic drugs.

When ISM private practitioners prescribe allopathic drugs, it raises several questions and concerns such as

1. Are they eligible, duly qualified and do they have knowledge and competency to prescribe allopathic drugs?
2. If so, under which condition?
3. If under emergency they can prescribe allopathic drugs means, have we defined what is medical emergency in India?
4. Medical emergency involve first aid and immediate hospitalization? In first aid, use of drugs is not followed?
5. Then can the ISM healers attend medical emergency that require hospitalization?
6. Is it legally correct and prudent for an ISM healer to prescribe allopathic drugs?
7. Does the allopathic treatment offered by AYUSH healer not worth to be called quackery?
8. Does it not mean AYUSH products are ineffective and that is why they prescribe allopathic drugs?
9. In the above circumstances, should we trust and believe AYUSH products?
10. To get allopathic drugs from AYUSH practitioner, why should people consult AYUSH doctors, instead they can consult allopathic doctors?

Let us sink with truth

Today AYUSH suffer the worst only because of cross pathy that has raised several such questions and doubts. Cross pathy by large number of institutionally qualified ISM private practitioners only has created the above situation for ISM. On the contrary, the traditional ISM healers are obtaining patent for their innovations in ISM.

Allopathic doctors can easily make use of the paramedical value of some AYUSH products but reverse is dangerous i.e. permitting ISM healers to practice allopathic drugs.

Only way and the best way to promote ISM is to empower allopathic doctors. Accept the truth that ISM is meant only for its paramedical benefits. It is not a medical science. Those who have studied the courses are therapists/healers as per the content and philosophy of the curriculum.

The two surveys of NSSO clearly reveal only the above truth. The first survey has shown that 94% of Indians are aware of AYUSH but only small population prefers ISM.

The second survey of NSSO shows that about 98% of Indians (both in rural and urban areas) prefers only allopathic system and not AYUSH.

Writing on the wall is clear and vivid. We need the grace of allopathic doctors to help AYUSH to survive.

But only if we speak the truth, we can win the support of allopathic doctors. The truth is that none of the ISM products are drugs and ISM is paramedical science and not system of medicine.

Let us be scientifically correct and not emotionally correct and perfect.

Let us show our patriotism against our enemy force and not against our own people. In the name of patriotism let us not promote ISM as system of medicine and legalize quackery and cross pathy. Let us not gift such system to poor people in rural India.

It is a wonderful paramedical wellness based system let us promote ISM with the help of qualified allopathic doctors.
With their grace, let us make AYUSH graceful.

Dr S Ranganathan

chikungunya

Chikungunya
is an infection caused by the chikungunya virus. The disease features the sudden onset of fever two to four days after exposure. The fever usually lasts two to seven days, while accompanying joint pains typically last weeks or months but sometimes years. The mortality rate is a little less than 1 in 1000, with the elderly or those with underlying chronic medical problems most likely having severe complications.

The virus is passed to humans by two species of mosquito of the genus Aedes: A. albopictus and A. aegypti. Animal reservoirs of the virus include monkeys, birds, cattle, and rodents.This is in contrast to dengue, for which primates are the only hosts.Since 2004, the disease has occurred in outbreaks in Asia, Europe and the Americas.

The best means of prevention is overall mosquito control and the avoidance of bites by mosquitoes in areas where the disease is common. This may be partly achieved with the use of mosquito nets. No specific treatment is known, but supportive care is recommended, including rest, fluids, and medications to reduce fever and joint pain

1.sudden onset with high fever,
2.joint pain
3.headache,
4.fatigue
5.conjunctivitis
6.sore throat
7.maculopapular rash
8.nausea, vomiting or diarrhea,

treat fever by acetaminophen only not by corticosteroid 

Methotrexate, a drug used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, has been shown to have benefit in treating inflammatory polyarthritis resulting from chikungunya,

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease first described during an outbreak in southern Tanzania in 1952. It is an RNA virus that belongs to the alphavirus genus of the family Togaviridae. The name “chikungunya” derives from a word in the Kimakonde language, meaning “to become contorted”, and describes the stooped appearance of sufferers with joint pain (arthralgia).

Signs and symptoms

Chikungunya is characterized by an abrupt onset of fever frequently accompanied by joint pain. Other common signs and symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. The joint pain is often very debilitating, but usually lasts for a few days or may be prolonged to weeks. Hence the virus can cause acute, subacute or chronic disease.

Most patients recover fully, but in some cases joint pain may persist for several months, or even years. Occasional cases of eye, neurological and heart complications have been reported, as well as gastrointestinal complaints. Serious complications are not common, but in older people, the disease can contribute to the cause of death. Often symptoms in infected individuals are mild and the infection may go unrecognized, or be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue occurs.

Transmission

Chikungunya has been identified in over 60 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.

The virus is transmitted from human to human by the bites of infected female mosquitoes. Most commonly, the mosquitoes involved are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, two species which can also transmit other mosquito-borne viruses, including dengue. These mosquitoes can be found biting throughout daylight hours, though there may be peaks of activity in the early morning and late afternoon. Both species are found biting outdoors, but Ae. aegypti will also readily feed indoors.

After the bite of an infected mosquito, onset of illness occurs usually between 4 and 8 days but can range from 2 to 12 days.

Diagnosis

Several methods can be used for diagnosis. Serological tests, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), may confirm the presence of IgM and IgG anti-chikungunya antibodies. IgM antibody levels are highest 3 to 5 weeks after the onset of illness and persist for about 2 months. Samples collected during the first week after the onset of symptoms should be tested by both serological and virological methods (RT-PCR).

The virus may be isolated from the blood during the first few days of infection. Various reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) methods are available but are of variable sensitivity. Some are suited to clinical diagnosis. RT–PCR products from clinical samples may also be used for genotyping of the virus, allowing comparisons with virus samples from various geographical sources.

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral drug treatment for chikungunya. Treatment is directed primarily at relieving the symptoms, including the joint pain using anti-pyretics, optimal analgesics and fluids. There is no commercial chikungunya vaccine.

Prevention and control

The proximity of mosquito vector breeding sites to human habitation is a significant risk factor for chikungunya as well as for other diseases that these species transmit. Prevention and control relies heavily on reducing the number of natural and artificial water-filled container habitats that support breeding of the mosquitoes. This requires mobilization of affected communities. During outbreaks, insecticides may be sprayed to kill flying mosquitoes, applied to surfaces in and around containers where the mosquitoes land, and used to treat water in containers to kill the immature larvae.

For protection during outbreaks of chikungunya, clothing which minimizes skin exposure to the day-biting vectors is advised. Repellents can be applied to exposed skin or to clothing in strict accordance with product label instructions. Repellents should contain DEET (N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide), IR3535 (3-[N-acetyl-N-butyl]-aminopropionic acid ethyl ester) or icaridin (1-piperidinecarboxylic acid, 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-methylpropylester). For those who sleep during the daytime, particularly young children, or sick or older people, insecticide-treated mosquito nets afford good protection. Mosquito coils or other insecticide vaporizers may also reduce indoor biting.

Basic precautions should be taken by people travelling to risk areas and these include use of repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants and ensuring rooms are fitted with screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering.

• Do not take aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like ibuprofen, naproxen, etc. Chikungunya can mimic other mosquito-borne diseases like dengue which can cause excessive bleeding. Aspirin and NSAIDS can thin your blood and increase the bleeding. Your doctor must rule out Dengue first. Your doctor may recommend NSAIDS for the joint symptoms after ruling out Dengue.
• If you have unbearable joint pain or no relief after your doctor has advised you to take NSAIDS, your doctor may prescribe you hydroxychloroquine 200 mg orally once a day or chloroquine phosphate 300 mg once per day for up to 4 weeks.

Human Body now 4G

Human Body Has Undergone Four Stages Of Evolution, Finds New Study (Focus News Bureau)02.09.2015

The human body has undergone four stages of evolution, according to recent study conducted by a team of international scientists who studied fossils from the Sima de los Huesos in Spain’s Sierra de Atapuerca.
Dated to around 430,000 years ago, this cave site preserves a large collection of fossils attributed to an enigmatic hominin species, named the Sima de los Huesos
hominin after the site.

Prof Arsuaga and co-authors found that the Sima de los Huesos individuals were relatively tall, with wide, muscular bodies and less brain mass relative to body mass compared to Neanderthals. They shared many anatomical features with the later Neanderthals not present in anatomically modern Homo sapiens, and analysis of their postcranial skeletons (the bones of the body other than the skull) indicated that they are closely related evolutionarily to Neanderthals.



“This is really interesting since it suggests that the evolutionary process in our genus is largely characterized by stasis (i.e. little to no evolutionary change) in body form for most of our evolutionary history,” Rolf Quam of Binghamton University said in a press release.

Comparison of the Sima de los Huesos fossils with the rest of the human fossil record suggests that the evolution of the human body has gone through four main stages, depending on the degree of arboreality (living in the trees) and bipedalism (walking on two legs).

The Sima de los Huesos fossils represent the third stage, with tall, wide and robust bodies and an exclusively terrestrial bipedalism, with no evidence of arboreal behaviors.

This same body form was likely shared with earlier members of our genus, such as Homo erectus, as well as some later members, including the Neanderthals.

Thus, this body form seems to have been present in the genus Homo for over a million years.

It was not until the appearance of our own species, Homo sapiens, when a new taller, lighter and narrower body form emerged.

They describe their findings in a paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

tetanus free

India declared maternal and neonatal tetanus free
TheHindu National New Delhi, August 27, 2015

The WHO has declared that mothers and newborns are free from tetanus at the time of birth in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Thursday.

He was inaugurating the Call to Action Summit 2015 — an initiative to reduce child and maternal deaths across the world — and said the event will help the developing countries to tackle health challenges related to women and child.

Boasting India’s polio-free status, Mr. Modi said: “Indian was declared polio free because of the collective efforts of several stakeholders. I am happy to inform you that today the WHO has declared India maternal and neonatal tetanus free.”

Over 600 delegates from across the world will attend the two-day summit to discuss initiatives to reduce maternal and child mortality rate.

Health Minister J.P. Nadda and the health ministers of several nations including Senegal, South Sudan, Afghanistan and Ethiopia were among those who attended the event.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are 24 countries that make up for 36 percent of the global population and account for 70 per cent of child and maternal deaths.

Mali has the highest Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) at 78, while South Sudan has the highest Mother Mortality Rate (MMR) at 730.

India’s IMR stands at 40 while the MMR stands at 167. in comparison, in 1990, the IMR was 380, and the MMR was 540.

Keywords: Millennium Development Goal, World Health Organisation, maternal tetanus, neonatal tetanus, Mother Mortality Rate, Infant Mortality Rate

CCRUM vaccancy 2015

Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine under Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India has invited applicants to apply for Research Associate, Yoga Instructor/Therapist, Pharmacy Assistant, Data Entry Operator and Multitasking Staff posts. The total number of posts is 90 and would be on contractual basis for the collaborative National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardio Vascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) in Kheri, Uttar Pradesh. Selection of the candidates would be made on the basis of screening test and personal interview. Interested and eligible candidates need to apply in prescribed application format before September 01, 2015.

CCRUM is initiated in order to carry out Systematic research in the field of Indian medicine systems. The body is entrusted to the governing body of 14 members with the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare being its president. The body works as an autonomous organization under the patronage of Central Council for Research in Indian Medicine and Homeopathy (CCRIMH). The council is associated with multimodal research activities and is one of the pillars in research and development of Unani System of Medicine in India.

Vacancy details:

Name of the posts:
Research Associate: 37 Posts
Yoga Instructor/Therapist: 17 Posts
Pharmacy Assistant: 17 Posts
Data Entry Operator: 02 Posts
Multitasking Staff: 17 Posts

Total number of posts: 90

Pay scale:
Research Associate: Rs. 36000/- + HRA
Yoga Instructor/Therapist: Rs. 27000/- pm.
Pharmacy Assistant: Rs. 16000/- pm.
Data Entry Operator: Rs. 13000/- pm.
Multitasking Staff: Rs. 1000/- pm.

Eligibility:

Educational qualification:
Research Associate: Candidates having Graduation Degree in Unani Medicine under any registered institute can apply for the post. Those candidates having higher qualification or work experience in the relevant filed would be preferred.
Yoga Instructor/Therapist: Candidates having Post Graduate Degree in Yoga/Regular Degree in Yoga from any recognized university along with 5 years of experience in practicing yoga can apply for the post.
Pharmacy Assistant: Candidates having Matriculation passed and two years of experience in any dispensary/Hospital dealing with Unani medicine system can apply for the post.
Data Entry Operator: Candidates having passed 10+2 along with a certificate in Computer and typing speed of 40wpm in English can apply for the post.
Multitasking Staff: Candidates having 10 class passed with one year experience in recognized pharmacy can apply for the post.

Age limit:
Research Associate: Up to 35 years
Yoga Instructor/Therapist: Up to 35 years
Pharmacy Assistant: Up to 28 years
Data Entry Operator: Up to 28 years
Multitasking Staff: Up to 25 years

For official notification, click here.

Selection procedure: Selection of the candidates would be made based on their marks attained in screening test and personal interview round conducted by the concerned authority.

How to apply:
Interested and eligible candidates need to download the application form from the official website and fill it in prescribed format.
Filled in application form along with other relevant documents and passport size photograph should be sent to ‘The office of Deputy Director Incharge, CRIUM, Lucknow’ before 01 September, 2015.

For official website, click here.

15 AYUSH doctors underqualified terminated in Garo Hills

15 AYUSH doctors terminated in Garo Hills
The Assam Tribune Online Guwahati, Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Biplab Kr Dey
TURA, Aug 24 - Fifteen Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, & Homeopathy) doctors, who were working on a contractual basis in various hospitals have been sacked after an investigation by the district administrations of East Garo Hills and North Garo Hills.
The doctors were appointed under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and were posted in almost all the CHC’s of the two districts.

The call for an investigation into their qualifications came from Ngos who alleged the information provided was false and that most of them did not qualify for the post. The investigation was started after a complaint was made by the DMO of North Garo Hills on the same lines.

“We started the investigation after the DMO’s complaint on August 13 and completed the same on August 18. A total of 15 of the 19 doctors were found to be underqualified for the job as they held diplomas. As a result their services were terminated on August 19”, said DC of EGH, Cyril Diengdoh.

The DC explained that under the scheme under which the Ayush doctors were contracted, the minimum qualification was a degree from a recognised university

DENGUE IN DELHI

LUDHIANA: A total of 33 cases of dengue were reported from the city on Tuesday, taking the toll to 141. As many as 17 cases were reported from Dayanand Medical college and hospital, three from Rajindra hospital, four were referred to Chandigarh, five from Christian Medical College and Hospital, 2 cases from Civil Hospital, Ludhiana and one each from Civil Hospital, Ferozepur and a private lab.

The number of cases from other districts reporting in city hospitals also increased by 11, taking the tally to 71. All the 11 cases from other districts were reported from DMCH. A new case from another state was also confirmed in DMCH.

Worried city residents are opting for natural remedies to build up immunity and fight the disease. One such natural method of treatment doing the rounds is papaya leaves.

While doctors are not sure whether papaya leaves actually help cure dengue or not, messages about papaya leaves, juice and tablets are going viral on social media.

Dr Vinu Kumar, chief nutritionist and raw vegan expert said, "Yes, the juice of papaya leaves helps cure dengue, as it has enzymes and blood building capacity. During dengue, patients suffer from low platelet count and need blood. Besides papaya leaves, smoothies with wheat grass and coconut water, etc could be blended for better blood building capacity. Treating dengue this way, we can also add anti-congestants like Tulsi and Ginger.
According to the nutritionist, extensive consumption of greens helps increase the platelet count. But doctors warn against misplaced enthusiasm for natural remedies, saying patients need medication for better results.

Dr Navdeep Singh, a city-based physician from Model Town said, "This time, instead of getting blood platelets transfused during dengue treatment, most of the people prefer to get it naturally with medication."

Dengue hits Delhi hard as 158 new cases emerge in just one week
By Astha Saxena  (Mail Online India)
Published: 21:27 GMT, 17 August 2015 | Updated: 21:28 GMT, 17 August 2015

As many as 158 fresh cases of dengue were reported from the national Capital over the last week, which has taken the total number of confirmed cases till August 14 to 277.

The figure reported by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi gives an alarming picture as only 26 cases of the vector-borne disease were reported so far in 2014.

The number of cases reported so far in 2015 is the highest in the last five years. A total of 46, 10, 54 and 26 cases of dengue were reported in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

Dengue

Sudden, high fever
Severe headaches
Pain behind the eyes
Severe joint and muscle pain
Fatigue
Nausea
Vomiting
Skin rash, which appears two to five days after the onset of fever

Mild bleeding such a nasal bleed ,bleeding gums

T/t..........
      Camel thorn, persian manna plant(Alhagi maurorum Baker Dexv / Alhagi pseudalhagi (Biedb.) Desv./Alhagi camelorum)

Alhagi maurorum has been used locally in folk medicine as a treatment for glandular tumors, nasal polyps, and ailments related to the bile ducts. It is used as a medicinal
herb for its gastroprotective, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, antidiarrhoeal and antiseptic properties, and in the treatment of rheumatism and hemorrhoids. The plant is mentioned in the Qur’an as a source of sweet Manna.It has also been used as a sweetener.

Its exudate been used oral & local in Dengue

Arminian Earth/Aluminium silicate (Gil Armani)

Arminian Earth/Aluminium silicat used as local in the treatment of infection , Haemoptysis , Phthisis , Ulcer/Ulcers of Lung , Bronchial asthma , Ulcer/Ulcers , of Intestines , Diarrhoea , Leucorrhoea , Dengue fever , Epidemic fever


safoof bukhaar

Chebulic Myrobalan- Fruit rind
common filbert -Kernel
Chinese parsley, Chinese-parsley, coriander- -Dried
Vinegar -
Onosma bracteatum -Leaf
cultivated licorice- Root
Lemon -Stem bark
Common chicory, s- Seed
Emblic Myrobalan- Fruit
Chebulic Myrobalan- Fruit rind
Sandalwood- wood
Agallocha Roxb. wood
bambos Voss bamboo
Lac
Coral  Corallium rubrum
Pearl
staranise tree- Seed
Nepeta hindostana Haines -Root
Granular sugar -

prepared as powder 14 gm used with suitable distillate as oral in dengue

safoof danj

Mercury Purified
Sulphur Purified
Tin / Stannum Purified
Mica
Liquid drugs for processing
Indian aloe- Leaf -Expressed juice
Leadwort, Ceylon Lead Wort Root bark -Decoction

It is given with adjuvant of Tinospora cordifolia Miers - Stem - Decoction .  It is useful in the treatment of Dengue fever .

diet in dengue
which can easily get digested like having boiled food, green vegetables, fruits like banana, apples, soups etc.
Try to drink plenty of water or any liquid drink such as juices, coconut water, ORS etc which in turn prevents from dehydration.
Try to avoid the food which is oily, spicy and salty. And if you want to maintain the taste of your mouth you can drink lemon juice.
juice prepared with the papaya and leaves. Juice of the crushed papaya leaves is considered as the best homemade remedy for the treatment of dengue fever.
take tea which includes the ingredients like ginger which would help in prevention from fever.


There is no specific medicine in allopathy  to treat dengue infection. If you think you may have dengue fever, you should use pain relievers with acetaminophen and avoid medicines with aspirin,

nominated as Member of CCRH

Dr Shivang Swaminarayan nominated as Member of CCRH, Ministry of AYUSH, GoI
By EP News Bureau-Mumbai on August 7, 2015

He will hold the post for a period of three years
Dr Shivang Swaminarayan

Dr Shivang Swaminarayan, Head – Healthcare Division, Sintex International (Gujarat) has been nominated as Member of Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India for the period of three years. CCRH is the apex research body in homoeopathy of the Government of India.

Swaminarayan held honorary consulting homoeopath at Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad. He graduated in Homoeopathy & Surgery (BHMS) from Pune (1991) and also pursued his PG studies in health & Family Welfare Management (NIHFW), Rural Development (IGNOU), MBA followed by PG Diploma in International Business from Symbiosis Institute at Pune. He is conferred with MF Hom. (Malaysia).

Swaminarayan is on editorial Board of Asian Journal of Homoeopathy. He is the Chairman of Subcommittee for Homoeopathy at IDMA (GSB) & National Secretary of Pharmacy wing of Homoeopathic Medicinal Association of India. He was Scientific Committee Member & Co-
ordinator, Allied Life Sciences of 66th World Homoeopathic Congress LIGA 2011.

He is instrumental in developing wellness centres in several parts of Gujarat, which is on the way of getting adopted in Public Health as a tool for ‘Better Health at Lower Cost Without Side Effects.’ He has also developed variety of Homoeopathic Kits for domestic first aid and community healthcare.

In 2003, he initiated frugal home-based dairy animal health project for improving productivity
using homoeopathic veterinary kit in 20 villages Co-operative Milk Society that was successfully replicated in nearby tribal and rural belt of South Gujarat.

He has been member of mission and task force of various industry association, academic institute of repute and departments of Government of India that includes Information & Technology, Ministry of Commerce, AYUSH Ministry, Central Council For Research in Homoeopathy etc. He currently holds key executive posts on various professional bodies and active in industry associations. He has been Vice Chancellor nominee for Faculty of Homoeopathy in SP University.

Modern and Traditional Systems of Medicine in One Place

Co-Locating Modern and Traditional Systems of Medicine in One Place
BusinessStanderd Delhi  August 4, 2015 Last Updated at 16:20 IST

Government of India has been coordinating with the State Governments regarding the development of AYUSH sector including the issue of establishing a separate AYUSH department in the States to effectively implement various initiatives of the Central Government.

In the first ever convened State/UT AYUSH/Health Ministers conference held on 20.02.2015, Ministry of AYUSH again drew the attention of State/UT Ministers and state officials for the need for separate AYUSH Department for the optimum growth of the AYUSH sector and all States/UTs need to have a separate AYUSH Directorate. Several letters & reminders have also been sent to States/UTS for mainstreaming of AYUSH and strengthening of administrative structure of AYUSH.

Under National AYUSH Mission (NAM), Government of India has been encouraging co-location of AYUSH facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs) in all the States/UTs. Support to States/UTs under National Health Mission (NHM) is provided for engagement of AYUSH doctors/paramedics on contractual basis in co-located public health facilities. The co-location of AYUSH facilities to various degrees is being undertaken in all States/UTs except in Kerala. As reported by Government of Kerala, State government is giving preference for separate AYUSH institutions than co-locating them in the existing allopathic health care institutions and presently there is separate Directorate that looks after the health care facilities of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani systems of medicine and separate Directorate of Homoeopathy that looks after health care facilities in Homoeopathy.

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of AYUSH, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik in a written reply to a starred question in the Rajya Sabha.

AYUSH in The New York Times

India’s Inverted Abortion Politics
3 Aug.2015 The New York Times
Manil Suri

IN America, many state governments have tried to curb abortion by placing severe restrictions on providers and clinics, purportedly for women’s protection, despite opposition from the American Medical Association and other groups. If the limits are allowed to stand, self-induced abortions are expected to rise, leading to an escalation of health dangers to women, particularly those who can’t afford to travel for help.

In India, a curious inversion of this story is playing out: The government is trying to reduce the qualifications required of providers so that poor women will have easier access to abortions, while doctors are the ones opposing this relaxation of rules.

Abortion is allowed in India under relatively liberal conditions — for example, contraception failure. Although its legal status is uncontroversial, the topic itself, like all sexual matters, is nevertheless taboo in the religiously conservative country. Women must often deal with unwanted pregnancy in secret, a problem compounded by unmet contraception needs and widespread gender subjugation.

The lack of adequate medical facilities in rural areas and urban slums forces many women to try to terminate pregnancies themselves, or to seek the services of quacks and untrained midwives. Ipas, an international abortion care organization, estimates that about five million abortions were carried out in India in 2013, with more than half of them unsafe. On average, an Indian woman dies every two hours from such procedures, and perhaps a hundred times as many are left with temporary or lifelong disabilities.

Last October, the Indian government proposed an amendment that would, among other things, allow abortions to be performed by specially trained registered nurses and licensed practitioners of traditional and alternative medicine systems like ayurveda, unani, siddha and homeopathy (which, along with yoga and naturopathy, are so widespread in India that they have their own federal department, known by the acronym Ayush).

Several developing countries have already been safely employing these extended cadres, including India’s neighbors Nepal and Bangladesh (where abortion is called “menstrual regulation,” to sidestep controversy). Feasibility trials in India demonstrated that nurses and ayurvedic doctors performed first-trimester abortions as effectively as doctors.

Although women’s groups hailed the proposal, the Indian Medical Association undertook a vigorous campaign against it, characterizing the feasibility studies as medical malpractice. The Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India, which participated in both the amendment process and the design and authorship of one of the feasibility studies, soon repudiated its own policy statement and now likewise opposes the proposal.

The primary reason advanced for this opposition — concern for women’s health — is just as specious in India as it is in America. Doctors are aware that abortion drug kits, like most prescription medicines in India, are available without authorization, and that their rampant self-administration is the cause of a large numbers of injuries and deaths. Midlevel practitioners could easily be trained to verify that a gestation is in the recommended early stage, ensure the drug protocol is correctly followed and contact a supervisor in case of complications. Underprivileged women would find female nurses less intimidating to approach than doctors, who are predominantly male. By increasing access and introducing a layer of safety in current practice, the amendment would help bring down India’s childbirth mortality toll, the highest in the world.


Another objection is that given the pressure on Indian women to bear sons, the rule would promote more abortions of female fetuses. However, most gender determination (and resulting abortion) occurs during the second trimester, while the amendment expands the provider pool only for the first trimester.

But the real root of the tension is the government’s promotion of alternative medicine as a medically equivalent but cheaper alternative to allopathic (modern) medicine. Last year, the department of Ayush was elevated to the status of a ministry. Its head, Shripad Naik, claims the British “suppressed Indian medicine and tried to foist allopathy on us.” Not surprisingly, allopathic doctors, already chafing at past proposals to allow Ayush doctors to practice modern medicine, have drawn the line at this amendment.

There are legitimate concerns against giving equal status to Ayush and allopathic medicine. Although Ayush treatments can be effective in managing chronic conditions, very few are backed by scientifically rigorous evidence. Some aspects amount to clear quackery: For instance, the claim that yoga cures homosexuality, or the medication of adolescents who have wet dreams (which indicate “pulse imbalance” in the siddha system).

Nevertheless, Ayush doctors provide invaluable services in rural and impoverished urban areas, where allopathic doctors are reluctant to practice. A long-term government goal, consistent with recommendations from the World Health Organization, is to integrate the two systems. This presents ethical and logistical challenges, so progress can be expected to be slow and marked by bouts of friction.

It is unfortunate that the abortion amendment, with its limited scope and clear potential to save lives, is caught up in these larger turf wars. The government has scaled back its proposal to include only drug-induced procedures, a compromise allopathic doctors should accept. They should take heed, even if American legislators haven’t, of the fact that playing politics with health issues hurts the poorest segments of society the most.

online submission system for Ayush research proposals

Ayush Ministry should set up online submission system for Ayush research proposals: Dr Amuthan
Peethaambaran Kunnathoor, Chennai
Monday, August 03, 2015, 08:00 Hrs [IST] PHARMABIZZ.COM

The delay in setting up an online submission system for Ayush research proposals is preventing the research scholars from availing grants on time for selected proposals and forces them to stop their scientific studies on various diseases and treatments.

Several of the research works are being halted due to lack of timely funding and periodical reviews by the review committee of the department of Ayush, says one research scholar and ethno-pharmacologist, whose scientific study on a traditional metallic anti-cancer drug has been halted for the last two years.

The drug is claimed to be effective for treating skin cancer, according to Dr Arul Amuthan of Melaka Manipal Medical College in Karnataka, who began the study about ten years ago.

Talking to Pharmabiz about the problems faced by the researchers, Dr Amuthan said that in India the research grant is being channelized to the researchers through the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Science and Technology (DST), AICTE, UGC, ICMR and Ayush. Other than Ayush, all other funding agencies have their own online proposal submission system by which any Indian research scholar can submit his/her proposals at any time of the year. The review committee reviews the proposals periodically and releases the grant for selected proposals. There is no deadline for submitting proposals also.

Whereas, in the case of Ayush, no system of online submission of proposals has been made so far. According to Ayush Ministry’s revised Extra Mural Research (EMR) scheme, the proposals received within a period of one year is reviewed quarterly (in March, June, September and December) by the review committee and approve proposals for grant of funds. This sluggish move of the Ayush ministry not only halts the scientific studies, but also discourages researchers to undertake new projects, he alleged.

During 2015, the four central councils have called for proposals for the first quarter hopefully to release the fund in the month of March. But till now, the first quarter review process was not completed and no fund was granted to any of the applicants, said Dr Amuthan.

He said the Central Councils have no interest to conduct the review process periodically and support research work. The victims of this lackadaisical attitude of Ayush are those who are waiting for approval for researches. So, government should expedite the review of proposals and set up online proposal submission system with tracking facility, he told Pharmabiz.

The department of Ayush has four research councils such as Central Council of Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS), Central Council of Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN), Central Council of Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) and Central Council of Research in Siddha (CCRS) to handle the researches in the respective medical systems.

More hospitals for AYUSH

More hospitals to be set up under National Ayush Mission
 August 02,2015, 11.47 AM IST | | THE HANS INDIA

Health is a State subject and the setting up of more AYUSH Hospitals in the States/UTs are under the purview of concerned State/UT Governments. However, under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) there is a provision for setting up of 50 bedded integrated AYUSH Hospitals in the States/UTs. The State/UT Governments are required to submit their proposals through the State Annual Action Plan (SAAP) as per the guidelines of the scheme.

As per the information received from the States/UTs, thetotal number of existing AYUSH hospitals in the country as on 1-4-2014 is 3575 out of which 2814 are Ayurveda hospitals , 264 are Sidha , 252 are Unani and 203 are homeopathy while 34 are naturopathy.



The total funds allocated and released to the States for setting up of 50 bedded integrated AYUSH Hospitals during 2014-15 and 2015-16 are Rs 531 lakhs.



Under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) provision has been made availablefor improving the conditions of theexisting AYUSH hospitals in the country under the component of Upgradation of AYUSH Hospitals. As per the guidelines, existing exclusive/standalone Government AYUSH Hospitals are provided non-recurring Grant-in Aid for undertaking construction, renovation of the existing premises, procurement of furniture, fixtures & equipments and recurring Grant-in Aid for procurement of medicines, contingency and deployment of additional manpower. The State/UT Governments are required to submit their proposal through the State Annual Action Plan (SAAP) as per the guidelines of the scheme.

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of AYUSH, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik in reply to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha today.