The Siddha Bio-Medical Interdisciplinary PG Society, a body formed in Tamil Nadu by physicians in Ayush disciplines with post graduation in various basic biomedical sciences, has made a request to the Union Ministry of Ayush to initiate measures to utilize the existing medical interdisciplinary manpower in various state and central Ayush institutions.

Currently, in the state, there are more than 150 PG holders in basic biomedical sciences hailing from a background of Ayush discipline, especially from Siddha system. Graduates in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homoeopathy and Naturopathy have completed their PG programmes in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, toxicology, epidemiology, medicinal plants, medical bio statistics, etc come under this category.

According to them, to improve the standard of PG programme in Indian systems and Homoeopathy and also for encouraging interdisciplinary researches in central and state government Ayush institutions, faculties for these biomedical sciences are necessary in the teaching institutions. Presently, there are many vacancies of teaching faculty for biomedical sciences all over Tamil Nadu. This situation continues when there are 150 Ayush PG holders in the subject are waiting for placements.

Similarly, even in the modern medicine teaching institutions, there is a good number of vacancies in their own basic medical science departments because of non availability of required teaching faculties. Due to this shortage of faculties, there is difficulty in imparting modern basic medical sciences to the Ayush PG degree aspirants.

As a growing Indian system of treatment, the Siddha requires researches in various biomedical sciences, for the purpose the proficiency of interdisciplinary experts is essential. The system has to be projected in terms of its effectiveness in treating various ailments and providing solutions for several dreadful diseases of this century, the letter to the minister says.