With a view to ensure growth of ayurveda industry in the state, the Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan expressed keen interest in exploring the possibility of turning the state into an ayurveda hub by using the available land in the state as an experimental location for ayurveda industry. He said that considering the huge potential of this niche sector its is important to take steps that will further propel and help the growth of the industry.
Discussions are in progress to find on a possible way to implement and include ayurveda into the mainstream public healthcare programme of the state, 'sampoorna swasthya'. In what could be a huge boost to this sector, Chauhan further announced that a new policy for ayurveda industry is already in line and will be soon launched in the state. He stressed that getting funds and investment for this purpose from the state government is not an issue especially since they are keen to popularise and patronise ayurveda.
These pro industry policies aimed by the state government was declared by Chauhan during the fifth world ayurveda congress that was recently concluded in Bhopal. Understanding the need for a world class institution in Bhopal, state government is understood to be planning to take some major steps towards boosting the ayurveda education as well. For this Pandit Khushilal Sharma Ayurvedic College would be transformed into a centre of excellence and modernised to specialise in some fine medical services that would benefit society not only in Bhopal but the world over.
Further, the state government informed about starting a unique programme called swasthya mela or health fair in every district of the State wherein Ayush component in this area would be inserted into this programme. Appreciating the efforts of the state government a highly placed source from the industry said that such initiatives are very much needed to further the progress of the ayurveda sector. Among the other announcements, Chauhan talked about formation of a ayurveda advisory board, to support and advise the state government on a routine basis for suggesting steps and recommendations that arise from the World Ayurveda Congress (WAC). They will also be mandated to conduct scope and feasibility study for Madhya Pradesh Ayurveda University for Public Health & Science.
Additionally, ayurveda Advisory Board would also play an active role in supporting research and promoting standard treatment guidelines for ayurveda in Public Health, along with giving recommendation and pilot programme in 200 odd PHC’s thereafter.