As a mark of the state government’s commitment to globalise Ayurveda system of medicine, the government of Kerala has launched a new project, Centre for Clinical Excellence in Ayurveda, a global Ayurveda village under the industries department.
 
The Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KINFRA) has been appointed as the nodal agency for realising the project within three years. This is the second developmental project for Ayurveda by the government of Kerala, the first one being Care Keralam, the Ayush cluster, sources from the industries department informed Pharmabiz.
 
The foundation stone for setting up the Kinfra Global Ayurveda Village was laid by the industries minister, P K Kunjalikutty at Thonnakkal in Thiruvananthapuram district.
 
The minister said the treatment method following in Kerala is considered as the most scientific and authentic among various schools of thought in Ayurveda. But our state is yet to tap this treasure house of scientific knowledge and earn the distinction and reputation it deserves. Moreover, lack of standardisation, documented validation and absence of world class treatment centres are the reason for not getting global acceptance for ayurvedic  treatment, commented Kunjalikkutty.
 
“The development programmes for Ayurveda should transcend the consideration of a mere system of medicine to a wholesome development of a sector integrating scientific authenticity and professional management. Support for IT based data base management for documenting traditional therapies and medicines is the need of the hour. Thrust on market development and branding of ayurvedic drugs and therapies, and integration with mainstream markets and exploration of new markets should be initiated. The system should be developed with a global vision and with a focussed approach”, the minister pointed out.
 
While launching the logo for the upcoming project, state health minister VS Sivakumar said there is tremendous growth for Ayurveda, but it is yet to reinvent itself to accommodate into the changed social set up to reap the benefits of globalisation. He said Ayurveda is not merely a medical science, but a life science.
 
“Kerala has immense potential in the traditional system of treatment. The ready availability of raw materials due to its geographic terrain and its age old tradition, and the reputed and talented physicians in the system have given it a distinct and much sought after brand value’, he said.
 
Dr Sam Pitroda, chairman of the National Innovation Council, had earlier identified Ayurveda as one of the key areas of potential development for the state of Kerala and suggested setting up of one global Ayurveda village in the state.
 
The present project envisages an Ayurveda hospital (integrated centre of clinical excellence), human resources development, traditional research centre, library, international academy and telemedicine facility.