Worried over the inert and dismal growth condition of the Siddha traditional medical system in Tamil Nadu, a researcher-cum-teacher in the system, with the support of the Siddha fraternity, is mobilising support of stakeholders to put a strong demand before the state government and to the central Ayush ministry for establishing a separate Ministry for Siddha under Tamil Nadu government.

The Siddha teacher who has taken the initiative for support mobilisation claims that only a ministry under the state government can help sustain and promote this age old system, the state’s own heritage.

‘If one ministry for Siddha is there, it can function independently for its development and contribute immensely to improve the health status of Tamil Nadu by coordinating with state, national and international level bodies, both in public and private sectors, related to this system’, says Dr. Arul Amuthan, a Siddha lecturer in the department of pharmacology at Manipal Medical College in Udupi, who undertakes the task of support mobilisation.

According to him, the present status of Siddha in Tamil Nadu is depressing even though government is always pretending to listen to the grouses and grumbles of Siddha fraternity, and if the situation is to be improved, a strong and sincere approach by Siddha practitioners, students, medicine manufacturers, traders and followers of the system has to be created. Presently, this kind of promotional approach is not generated from the stakeholders’ side, says Dr. Amuthan.

“Once the ministry starts functioning, government can attract more investors into researches and practices. Similarly, national level promotional activities can also be introduced. At the centre, government will coordinate all the functions, so that the traditional medicine sector can have its own identity. Currently, it is being suppressed by the followers of modern medicine”, he alleged.

He opines that plenty of programmes can be done from government side, for that the Siddha fraternity, especially the Siddha medical officers association, siddha graduates association, siddha students association and siddha medicine manufacturers association should rise up to the situation.  But these organisations are neither working properly nor conducting any agitation or making any demands. Lack of a strong association is the only reason for not starting siddha wing in all the district hospitals and medical colleges. It can also be started in private medical colleges. He said a strong association of Siddha stakeholders is needed to improve the status of the system.

When his opinion was sought, former EC member of CCIM from Kerala Dr D Ramanathan said siddha system has got a vice-president at the central council of Indian medicine and the state has all the influence at the centre. But no effort from any corner is taken towards the promotion and development of the state’s traditional medical system in Tamil Nadu. According to him, siddha has got special prominence in curing certain diseases, but they are not highlighted by the practitioners or their organisation. He said an organised set-up like what Ayurveda has in Kerala should be made by all the stakeholders and continuous pressure should be exerted on the government, otherwise the system cannot survive in future.

Dr Ramanathan said his association’s (AMMOI) demand for a separate ministry for Ayurveda in Kerala has been accepted by the state government, and the process of formation is going on.