Oversimplification about integration of traditional and modern treatment systems often creates confusion among the stakeholders, and nobody understands the reality of the integration and what it is meant for, said Dr. Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Union Ayush Ministry.
The concept of integration has to be taken in its true spirit as it has impacted very much already, but oversimplification is continually creating confusion among others. The government is desiring for integration of the systems just for improving the health systems and patient outcomes. Integration is purely based on scientific perspectives of the medical practitioners, but not for mingling one therapy with another one, he added.
The Union Ayush Secretary was delivering the inaugural speech at the 61st Ayurveda seminar organised by the Kottakkal Aryavaidyasala (KAVS) at the premises of its Charitable Hospital at Kottakkal in Kerala which celebrates its 100th year now.
Today, there are 10,000 hospitals co-located with Ayush facilities in various parts of India, which are offering traditional and modern healthcare services based on the patients’ ailment conditions supported by the perspectives of each system’s practitioners. All over India, more than 100 million patients has availed Ayush treatments in more than 12,200 Ayushman Aarogya mandir which are entry level facilities supported under National Ayush Mission. Dr Kotecha remarked that there are over 43,000 research publications available indicating the efficacy and safety of the Ayush medicines, especially of Ayurveda medicines. He said high-end research has been done on several therapies administered on patients with multiple diseases of chronic conditions.
“We have robust evidence of how the Ayurveda drugs are working, but the criticisms always encourage reviews. Everyone has the right to criticise, but very often these criticisms may discourage the students of Ayurveda. The students must understand that bio chemical investigations is based on the principles of basic science which is not the monopoly of any medical system. Clinical studies of Ayurveda medicines are done on basic scientific principles, and in association with research agencies such as ICMR, the Ministry of Ayush is doing research on the working of Ayush medicines in order to have scientific evidence. Recently, a study has been started to learn the mechanism of action of the panchakarma therapy. Several Ayush research institutes are now engaged in the work of clinical studies in the principles and practices of Ayurveda,” he said.
In a research agreement with Indian Council of Medical Research, the Ayush ministry is engaged in research on anemia, focusing on developing new therapies through Ayurveda management. The third phase of clinical study is currently going on. Similarly, there is another study going on with an institute about cancer treatment by applying Ayurvedia principleas and method, he said. Pointing to the ongoing research studies, Dr Kotecha said Ayurveda has evolved on the basis of basic sciences of Indian origin. He said the perspectives of traditional medicine practitioners and of modern medical practitioners are varying. Each perspective is pertaining to each system, but it should not be a hurdle for a complementary approach. He wanted the healthcare communities to work together and support integration of treatment systems everywhere. He said the prime minister is always saying to utilise the benefits of contemporary science in carrying out research in Ayurveda.
APM Mohammad Hanish, principal secretary of industry department in Kerala, while delivering his keynote address at the function, said both the traditional and modern medical practitioners should sit together and discuss the areas where integration can be applied and how an integrative approach can be created. He said standardisation of traditional medicines is essential to ensure their safety, quality and efficacy. The government of Kerala is organising a Global Investment Meet in Kochi in the month of February 2025, in which Ayush sector will be invited, he said.
Dr PM Madhavankutty Varier, managing trustee of the KAVS presided over the meeting. He said Kottakkal AVS is treating 1.8 million patients every year and encouraging farmers to cultivate medicinal plants.
Dr C A Harikumar, CEO of the hospital welcomed the audience, and Dr L Lekha proposed the vote of thanks.
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