The ISM sector of Kerala is finding it difficult to implement various measures pertaining to patient care and promotion of the ancient systems of medicine owing to the insufficiency of funds. Informed sources alleged that only a fraction of the central funds were flowing into the state health sector is being allocated for the ISM.

The ISM department sources speaking to Pharmabiz said that although the representatives from the ISM sector in Kerala were invited during meetings to discuss various issues related to health sector, the fund allotment was totally insufficient.

The sources said that there were a lot of Ayurveda specialty hospitals in the State and the poor patients could benefit only if there is proper infrastructure. He said that the main aim of the National Rural Health Mission was to improve the healthcare facilities in the villages and that many ayurvedic dispensaries are situated in the small hamlets. But the poor villagers have not been able to make use of the services owing to the lack of proper facilities.

"The main reason why many middle class don't approach the government hospitals is because they lack proper infrastructure but the private hospitals provide it. When people are ready to spend money on treatment the proper facilities should be there. The poor people come here, as there is no other alternative for them. So the government should provide more funds for the ISM sector so that better infrastructure can be provided to the people," the source said.

They were also finding it difficult to prepare proposals to be forwarded to the government, as there were no proper cells for coordinating these matters unlike the allopathy department. There is no adequate staff for carrying out treatment procedures in the department.

The department has sent various project proposals related to promotion of Ayurveda, modernization and up gradation of dispensaries and district medical offices, building of new hospitals, computerization, etc. But till now no reaction has come from the government. The sources said that the District Medical Officers were finding it difficult to move to different dispensaries and monitor them or quickly respond to a situation owing to the lack vehicle.

"There are around 747 dispensaries altogether in a total of 14 districts and if the DMO has to monitor them all, he has to travel a lot. But they are finding it difficult, as there are no vehicles for them. They are now using the Panchayat vehicles as their means of transport. The State can benefit only if the health care is properly implemented in the district level. So we have sent a proposal to the government seeking vehicles for the DMO," said a source.

He said that other proposals that were sent to the government were for the Reproductive Child Health (RCH) programme, Geriatric care programme and SC/ST care programme. Under the RCH programme they had requested for medicines and food for the poor pregnant ladies so that they are taken care of well through the dispensaries. The Department has plans to setup a ward for old people care so that proper treatment can be given to the old people who are most often neglected. And medicines for the SC/ST people were also requested for. The proposed capital expected could not be divulged now as the government might ask to revise the amount after scrutinising the proposal.

The ISM department is in the process of preparing the department manual for rules and regulations to be followed by the members as well as conditions for assigning responsibilities among the Panchayat officials and the ISM department, as the dispensaries are under the Panchayat.

Work on initiating a website, www.helathkerala.govt.in, is also under process. The website is expected to provide information about various healthcare facilities offered in the State.

The ISM department has invited applications for four awards that are to be conferred upon efficient people in the field of Ayurveda. The four awards are namely Dhanvanthri Award for ayurvedic doctors and researchers, the Athreya Award for professors in Ayurveda colleges, the Charaka Award for people from the ISM department and the Vagdhada Award for private practioners. The award function is expected to take place in the first week of March 2007.