In a major suggestion towards strengthening the Indian system of medicines, especially Ayurveda, in Kerala, the association of Ayurveda doctors in Kerala has submitted a proposal to the state government demanding setting up of a separate Ayush department in line with the central Ayush controlling agency.
The ayurvedic medical professionals representing Ayurveda Medical Association of India (AMAI) apprised the state finance minister that if such a separate Ayush department is established in Kerala, it would help develop education and research in the traditional healthcare systems of the country. The representation given by AMAI says that Ayush department is functioning in various states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Bihar.
The doctors of ayurvedic medicines explained to the minister that Ayush department was continuously laying emphasize on upgradation of Ayush educational standards, quality control and standardization of drugs. Further, it helps improve the availability of medicinal plant material, research and development, and awareness generation about the efficacy of the systems domestically and internationally.
Regarding the potential of human resources for starting exclusive department for Indian systems, the physicians said there is sufficient strength of qualified staffs and other officials in Kerala to start the department. They suggested that the high ranking officers in charge of Ayurveda under the department of health & family welfare could be assigned to look after the new department under the supervision of the health secretary. The government need not appoint additional staff for administration as the officer in the rank of Joint Secretary and the three directors and their staff members are enough to manage the administration. This would not make any additional financial commitment to the government.
According to AMAI, the creation of the Ayush department can support the development of the Medicinal Plant Board also. It could be brought under the control of Ayush following the central plan. Besides, the state government can approach the central planning commission for a special package to promote and strengthen the medicinal plant board which will have its impact on the state’s economy.
In Kerala, the Ayurveda drugs control department was till recently functioning under the control of the state Drugs Control Administration (allopathy). Though it has been separated now, so far not a director was appointed or made it an independent regulatory body. The proposal of the ayurvedic doctors to the government made one demand in this regard asking for independent power to the department under the control of the proposed Ayush department.