Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Friday said that the J-K administration is mulling setting up the first-ever Ayurveda Medical Colleges in Srinagar and Jammu cities to promote natural ways of healing.
He was speaking at the maiden 3-day Ayurveda Parv in Srinagar as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). Ayurveda Parv 2023-24 Srinagar was organised by All India Ayurvedic Congress in association with the Minister of AYUSH, Government of India from 15th to 17th September 2023 at Government Dental College, Srinagar, J&K.
Officials said that the 3-day event will consist of Exhibition, Scientific sessions, Free medical check-up camps for the general public, distribution of free medicines, display of medicinal plants and much more.
The LG after inaugurating the 3-day grand event, in his speech emphasised to promote holistic principles and best practices of Ayurveda, sensitize people about the strength & potential of Ayurveda for healthy living.
He said that Ayurveda has gained global popularity and today the entire world is adopting Ayurveda techniques to meet the changing health care needs of people, for well-being of the body, mind & spirit and management of various diseases.
“Ayurveda stakeholders & policymakers should work together to popularize this traditional medicine system as the mainline of treatment for the lifestyle diseases, preventive care and to boost the immune system,” he said.
“I am hopeful this platform of Ayurveda Parv will also draw a roadmap to further strengthen J&K’s health architecture and provide valuable suggestions for a more resilient, equitable, sustainable and inclusive health system for the well-being of all our citizens,” he said.
LG said that there are currently around 500 Ayush Health and Wellness Centres functional in J&K but that isn’t enough, however, the government is working to fill all these gaps.
“Government is intending to start two Ayurvedic Medical colleges in Srinagar and Jammu,” LG Said , while directing the Health Secretary to make a proposal in this regard and forward it to concerned Union Ministry and whatever will be required from J&K Government will be done on priority.
He said that Ayush medical College and hospital is functional in Akhnoor Jammu while Unani Medical College and hospital has been already started in Ganderbal.
J&K’s first homeopathic medical College has come up in Kathua while 50 bedded Integrated Ayush Hospitals have been started in Kulgam, Kupwara, Kuthua, Kishtwar and Samba.
10 bedded Ayush hospitals have been started in Baramulla and Jammu districts as well while steps are being taken to further strengthen the sector so that students need not to go outside for Ayurvedic courses and create employment opportunities for local youth.
He said that the National Institute for High Altitude Medicinal Plants will come at Baderwah but due to paucity of funds work hasn’t started yet but it is expected to start soon with intervention of the union ministry of Ayush.
“Women Yoga instructors aren’t getting monthly honorarium equal to male instructors. That is injustice and this issue will be sought out soon,” LG Said.
“To offer the best facilities to the people, the J&K government spends Rs 2.5 crore per day on public healthcare and health care facilities in J&K are much better than other states,” Sinha said.
“Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) SEHAT in convergence with PM-JAY provides cashless access to healthcare services for every resident of J&K at the point of service, that is, the hospital, he said.
Advisor to LG RR Bhatnagar, Secretary Health Bhupinder Kumar and other officials were also present on the occasion—(KNO)