With a view to strengthen the practice of ayurveda in the state, the Kerala Government recently gave approval to start 23 new ayurveda dispensaries across nine districts in Kerala along with the up-gradation of one dispensary hospital in Nellippara, Kannur. The decision to launch this initiative was informed through a gazette notification issued on February 16 which will propel the growth of ayurveda in the state.

This approval came as a follow up of the proposal submitted by the Director of Indian Systems of Medical under the Health and Family Welfare Department of Kerala, earlier in 2010, seeking administrative sanction for the opening new government ayurveda dispensaries in the panchayats wherein there is no such institutions.

They had forwarded a list of 39 grama panchayats who had showed willingness in providing infrastructural facilities to start the new government ayurveda dispensaries. Out of which the government has sanctioned 23 grama panchayats for opening new government ayurveda dispensaries, provided that they are willing to give basic infrastructural facilities for the same.

Praising the governments efforts, the Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Organisation of India (AMMOI) stressed that the industry is very happy with this progressive step of the state government as such initiative is essential for the upliftment and growth of this niche but highly skilled sector.

Under this programme, the state government has created around 92 posts i.e. four post in each dispensary under the category of medical officers, pharmacists grade II and attenders grade II to cater to the needs of the new ayurveda dispensaries.

According to Dr Ramanathan Devaraj Iyer, general secretary of AMMOI, “This initiative by the government will act as a great boost for the ayurveda fraternity as more and more people will be intrigued to know more about this highly skilled sector. Moreover, recruitment at such large scale will ensure great job opportunities for many graduates who are looking forward to work in this sector.”