Recommending some high-flying ideas to develop the Indian system of medicines (ayush streams) with a comparative preference to Ayurveda, the Organisation of Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers of India (AMMOI) has prepared an action plan to be submitted to the newly formed central Ayush Ministry.

AMMOI’s action plan is in the form of a scientific document which heralds the need for modern scientific researches to establish the efficacy of Indian medicines (Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Yoga and Naturopathy) and also to understand the mechanisms involved in the healing processes of the traditional drugs. It says that emphasise should be given on prevention and promotion of positive health through effective lifestyle programmes of Ayush. However, all the treatments under Ayush systems should be brought under insurance coverage.

According to Dr D Ramanathan, general secretary of the organisation, the recommended strategies presented in the document have been developed as a result of an analytical study of the ayush sector in the national level, coupled with expert opinions. He stressed the need for considering the report in the backdrop of the effectiveness shown by the centuries old herbal medicines and also due to the manifold increase in various epidemic and lifestyle diseases.

One of the major recommendations highlighted in the action plan is for adoption of preventive measures. The organisation opines that at least 30 per cent of the total health budget should be set aside for holistic programmes specified in the Ayush system for prevention of diseases. The report does not favour for building sky-scraper hospitals, spending huge money for expensive medicines, training specialists and super specialists.etc, but it favours for setting up a sub-committee to discuss and evolve methods of prevention by imbibing ideas from modern and traditional medical community.

The experts in the organisation view that more importance is needed in educating the younger generation about Ayush systems. The curriculum at the school and college levels should contain separate health sciences with emphasise on traditional healing systems of the country. For employed people, special wellness leave and reimbursement for wellness to take yoga therapy, meditation, detoxification (body service) once in a year by naturopathy and Ayush panchakarma should be provided.