AYUSH will be given emphasis in New National Health Policy

Bhubaneswar: The Centre would soon come up with a new National Health Policy with special emphasis on AYUSH - Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy system.

The new health policy being prepared by the central government would accord adequate importance to AYUSH system, Naik, Union Minister of state (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, said at the opening of national 'Arogya' mela.

Maintaining that Narendra Modi Government accords proper importance to traditional systems of medicine, Naik said the role of AYUSH would be redefined in the new health policy proposed to be unveiled soon.

AYUSH system with its long history of use at various stages of civilisation would be made an integral part of the healthcare arrangements at all levels, right from the primacy health centres to the top, the minister said.

The system requires simple technological inputs for diagnosis of ailments and preparation of medicinal products, said Naik, who is also Union Minister of state Health and Family Welfare. There can be a revolution in healthcare if strengths in AYUSH system of medicine are properly utilised by promoting, supporting and spreading awareness about it, he said.

The Department of AYUSH aims at providing attention to development of education and research in Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy systems. Describing Bhubaneswar as a rapidly growing city in the country, the Union Minister said the city has a 3000-year old history of close links with traditional systems of health care and Ayush has good future here.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, chief guest at the function, said there has been a resurgence of interest in the AYUSH system of medicines with increase in the number of lifestyle disorders. "Odisha government has included Ayurveda, Unani & Homoeopathy systems of medicine in the healthcare services of the state," he said.

Ayurveda, the principal system of Indian medicine, which dates back to about 5,000 years B.C., is not only a scientific system but represents a healthy way of life, he said, adding these systems continue to cater to health care services to a large number of people both in rural and urban areas of the state.

The use of herbs to treat diseases is almost universal among societies and is often more affordable than purchasing expensive modern pharmaceuticals, he said. The traditional treatment system of our tribal people should also be acknowledged. The World Health Organisation estimates that 80 per cent of the population of some Asian and African countries presently use herbal medicine for some aspect of primary healthcare, Patnaik said.