Stating that Ayurveda, an alternate system of medicine in Kerala is going through a rough time, the associations of manufacturers and practitioners of this traditional system have submitted a set of proposals to the state government to be incorporated into the new health policy, the draft of which was released by the government last week.

After releasing the draft policy, the government has sought suggestions and proposals from the stakeholders of the health sector. The ayurvedic fraternity has complained that the draft policy belittles the potentials of Ayurveda, hence their suggestions should be considered with due importance.

In separate memorandums filed by various associations, a common demand highlighted is that the proven potentials of Ayurveda in mental health, women’s health, child health, management of communicable diseases and life style disorders, and in programmes like school health, medicinal plants cultivation, standardisation of herbal drugs etc. should be spread across the state by means of various projects. The healthcare delivery system in ayurvedic sector should be improved in both private and public sectors by attributing adequate manpower with justifiable perks, infrastructure, insurance and other supportive steps.

In the memorandum submitted by Dr D Ramanathan, president of Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Organisation of India (AMMOI), a demand has been raised that Ayurveda should be declared as the state healthcare system. As a promotional activity, government should explore the possibilities of this traditional healing system to be implemented in veterinary and agriculture sciences. AMMOI further suggested that for the promotion of the system there is urgent need to constitute Kerala Ayurveda Promotion Council.

In the educational sector, the health policy should give prominence to developing an advanced Ayurveda research institute and digital documentation centres attached with Ayurveda college hospitals. Speciality referral centres for balachikitsa, marma, ksharasutra, shalakya, prasuthi and kayacikitsa should be established in the government and aided medical colleges of Ayurveda. Dr Ramanathan said AMMOI’s demand for an Ayush department in Kerala has been once again brought to the attention of the government through his memorandum. Proposal was also made for establishing an all-encompassing centre namely Traditional Knowledge Innovation Kerala for the IPR protection and development of the state’s rich traditional knowledge (TK) and traditional cultural expressions (TCE).

Association of the private Ayurveda medical practitioners, AMAI, in its memorandum said the NRHM policy of the combined system of Ayush and allopathy in one place should be implemented as early as possible for the welfare of the people.