Foundation of Revitalization of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT), which received a Rs 34 crore grant from Tata Trust early this year, is all set to commence construction of the Indian Institute of Ayurveda Integrated Medicine (IIAIM). The full-fledged 100-bed hospital and training centre that is coming up on a 5 acre land adjacent to its FRLHT campus at Jarakabanda Kaval, Post Attur, Yelahanka in the outskirts of Bangalore, is expected to be completed by 2009 end or early 2010.

For the infrastructure alone, Rs 17 crore is allocated and the remaining amount will be utilized for equipment and other expenses, Dr GG Gangadharan, joint director (Traditional System of Medicine ), FRLHT told Pharmabiz.

The construction of the facility, which is a 1.20 lakh sq ft complex, will take 18-24 months. It will have a well-equipped medical centre to offer treatment to patients, besides advanced training to 100 ayurveda doctors with BAMS degree.

There will be 50 doctors for the hospital alone to undertake the treatment modalities. The training centre, which will be operated on the similar lines of a Finishing School will offer a focused training programme spanning 1-3 months extending to a maximum of six months.

It will equip the doctor to specialize in specific verticals, which are expected to be started in different cities. These verticals will include urban clinics, mother-child maternity homes, wellness centres and dedicated wings in private ayurveda hospitals across the country. The entire activities will be supervised by FRLHT.

"We believe that main stream ayurveda needs to be propagated through well-trained physicians. FRLHT is determined to provide a panel of well trained human resources, who will be able to diagnose and treat," explained Dr Gangadharan.

The 10 urban centres will focus on geriatrics care, mental health, diabetes, skin diseases, cardiac disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, gastro intestinal & respiratory tract diseases, complimentary treatment for cancer and ophthalmology, additional focus will be given to preventive and promotive healthcare.

The hospital will be a centre for clinical research and clinical documentation. Also another reason for setting up this medical centre was that for a training centre doctors need a hospital to practice, stated Dr Gangadharan.

FRLHT already has Amruth, which is an ayurveda 20-bed nursing home and yoga centre. There are 15 doctors and Siddha, Unani and yoga consultants. The facility also offers Panchakrama treatment among other therapies.

There is also a Centre for Excellence for medicinal plants. Much of the drugs are sourced from the organically cultivated garden in the premises.