Srinagar, Feb 11: Directorate of Indian System of Medicine (AYUSH) on Sunday organized an event at SKICC, Srinagar to celebrate ‘The World Unani Day’ wherein Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary Health & Medical Education Department was the chief guest.
Dr Masood Tanveer, Principal Govt Unani Medical College Ganderbal Kashmir, Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmed Rather were also present.
This year’s theme of World Unani Day is “Unani Medicine-One Earth, One Health”.
On the occasion, the Secretary Health said Unani is perceived as one of the most ancient and well-documented systems of medicine equally relevant in modern times and its holistic approach whether for healthy individuals or for diseased ones remains unparalleled.
He said prevention of disease and promotion of health is the main aim of Unani. He hoped that Unani with divine healing properties can become a world leader in providing alternate health care to the people.
The Secretary said that Hakim Ajmal Khan was the pioneer of Unani Medicine in modern India, a freedom fighter and an associate of Mahatma Gandhi in the Indian independence movement.
He stressed on the management of diseases and restoration of healthy lifestyle which provides preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative healthcare with holistic approach based on Unani System of Medicine.
The Secretary noted Ayush Systems’ millennia-long history of healing and emphasized the importance of integrating modern research methodologies to enhance healthcare delivery.
He advised that more capacity-building programs should be organized for Ayush Medical and Para-Medical Staff for better skill development. He stressed on the need for further Research & Development programs in Ayush to make it popular across the globe.
The Secretary highlighted that Ayush Medicine offers a comprehensive approach to disease, addressing multiple contributing factors and prioritizing lifestyle management for promoting health and treating Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs).
On the occasion, Director AYUSH, J&K Dr Mohan Singh highlighted the objectives of World Unani Day and informed that the day is celebrated to further promote Unani into mainstream and focus on strengths of Unani and its unique treatment principles.
He stressed on reducing the burden of disease and related morbidity and mortality by utilizing the potential of Unani and exploring the potential of Unani to contribute towards National health policy & National Health programs.
He said that Hakim Ajmal Khan was a healer, Spiritual leader, Sufi, Mystic, Herbalist and poet. He believed that Unani and Ayurveda should work together like a pair of eyes, and to fulfil this dream he founded the Ayurveda and Unani Tibbiya College in Karol Bagh, Delhi.
His immense contributions as a renowned physician earned him the title of “Massiha-e-Hind”. He also highlighted the achievements of Ayush Directorate for the last three years.
The directorate has informed that under Ayushman Bharat Scheme, 483 Standalone Government Ayush Dispensaries have been upgraded to Ayush Health & Wellness Centres.
The scheme is being implemented under the National Ayush Mission. He further added that the Directorate of Ayush, J&K was awarded for NABH Accreditation in favour of 5 Ayush Health & Wellness Centres viz. Phallian, Sunjwan, Khandwal of Jammu District and Jib, Dalpad of Udhampur District by Sarbanand Sonowal, Union Minister of Ayush, Ports and Shipping in presence of Dr. Mahinder Bhai Munjapara MoS Ayush, Vaidiya Rajesh Kotecha Union Secretary Ministry of Ayush, GoI, Director NABH and other dignitaries on 9th November 2023 at Panchkula Haryana on the occasion of National Ayurveda day.
He said during the year 2023-24, 43,000 Yoga Sessions were conducted in Ayush Health and Wellness Centers through trained Yoga instructors and 637 Yoga sessions in various outreach camps across J&K, wherein 16,000 beneficiaries performed various Yoga Asanas.
Besides that 64,395 Yatris benefited from Yoga Asanas and Pranayam for High Altitude Sickness at various locations during Shri Amar Nath Ji Yatra 2023 conducted by the Directorate of Ayush, J&K.
Dr Mohan Singh added that about 70,000 participants performed various Yoga Asanas on International Yoga Day 2023 across J&K. He informed that during the G-20 Summit in Kashmir, two Yoga sessions were conducted on 24 May, 2023 for G-20 International & National delegates at Lalit Grand and Taj Vivanta Hotels at Srinagar.
In addition, Ayush Exhibition stalls were installed to promote Ayush /Ayush-based tourism in UT of J&K at SKICC Srinagar during the G 20 meeting.
He further informed that proposal for starting of 2-year diploma in Panchkarma/Regimental Therapy Technician Course at Govt. Ayurvedic Hospital Jammu and Govt. Unani Hospital Shalteng Srinagar has been approved by Para Medical Council which will be started shortly.
To boost Medical Education in Ayush, he said approval has been granted by Ministry of Ayush, GoI for establishing Govt. Homeopathic Medical College & Hospital in District Kathua for which foundation stone was laid down by Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor J&K, Manoj Sinha in November 2023.
He further informed that to promote medicinal plants sector in J&K 02 High Altitude and one Sub-tropical Medicinal Plants Nurseries established in the premises of High Altitude Medicinal Plants at Bhaderwah, District Doda, Gurez District Bandipora and Tapyal Samba.
The director informed that proposals for establishing Govt. Ayurvedic Medical College in Kashmir, 04 Centre of Excellences under Ayush (02 Centre of Excellences of Medicinal Plants and Pharmaceutics to be established in the premises of Institute of High Altitude Medicinal Plants at Bhaderwah and 02 Centre of Excellences in Ayush Multispecialty Services one each in Govt. Medical College, Jammu and Govt. Unani Hospital, Shalteng Srinagar) has been submitted to the Ministry of Ayush for approval.
He further added that proposal for enhancing the intake capacity of BAMS Course from 63 to 100 seats and permission to start the Post-Graduate Degree courses in all 14 disciplines/specialties of Ayurveda at Govt. Ayurvedic Medical College & Hospital, Akhnoor Jammu is also in pipeline for consideration.
The Director AYUSH thanked Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary H&ME Department for his support in promoting Ayush sector in the UT of J&K.
Deputy Director, Ayush Kashmir, Assistant Director Unani, Accounts Officer Directorate of Ayush, J&K, District Ayush officers, Kashmir Division, Retired Senior Unani Doctors/renowned Unani Practitioners and Ayush Medical & Para-Medical staff participated in the event.
World Unani Day is a global annual event held on February, 11th, which marks the birthday of great Unani scholar and social reformer Hakim Ajmal Khan.
