In a major boost to the initiatives to promote traditional medicinal practices in the North East, the Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal announced a slew of major initiatives planned to spice up the normal medicinal practices within the north-eastern states of India at a conference held in Guwahati Today.
The conference of AYUSH and Health Ministers of North-eastern states for promotion of Ayush systems was graced by Chief Ministers of Assam, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, because the Chief Guest.
Sonowal announces 1000 HWCs
The union minister announced that as many as 1000 new Health & Wellness Centres (HWC), as part of the National Ayush Mission (NAM) Scheme, will be opened in the NE states for growth and development of Ayush systems. The aim of these centres is to provide a holistic wellness model based on principles of Ayush systems of medicine.
A total of 12,500 HWC are to be operationalised in the country by the Ministry of Ayush. To boost the popularity of traditional medicines provided by Ayush, the minister announced setting up of 100 Ayush dispensaries under NAM in the northeast region.
Aid of 70 crore to be provided
In a speech at the meeting, the Trade Union Minister announced that in order to promote the education and training of Ayush medical experts, Rs 70 Crore will be provided with the support of NAM for the establishment of a new Ayurvedic Academy in Dudhnoi, Goalpara. The Ayush Ministry has decided to improve the Government Ayurveda Academy in Guwahati and make it a center of excellence. In this regard, a financial subsidy of Rs 100 million will be provided.
Raw material processing centre to open in North East
A raw material semi-processing promotion center will be opened in the northeast. At the same time, it also plans to cooperate with the National Institute of Biological Resources and Sustainable Development in Imphal, Manipur to establish a regional raw material drug library (RRDR) in the northeastern states under the Ministry of Biotechnology.
These measures will be implemented within the framework of a central departmental plan managed by the National Medicinal Plant Committee of the Ministry of Ayush. The Ministry is implementing a central departmental plan for the protection, development and sustainable management of medicinal plants.
Digital database for Ayush intervention
The Northeast state government, the central government and Ayush medical institutions under the teaching hospital will be incorporated into the Ayush Health Management Information System (AHMIS) to develop a digital database of Ayush intervention in the management of various diseases.
AHMIS is a comprehensive IT platform that can effectively manage all functions of the healthcare delivery system and patient care in the Ayush facility. Its development goals are to improve patient care, work efficiency, effective management, and Ayush’s scientific literature and research.