Jammu, Apr 24: In order to boost the evidence-based practice of Ayurveda and Yoga in the present health scenario and to validate various principles and practices of the traditional systems of health care, a one-day seminar on Research and Development in Ayush Sector in Ayurveda and Yoga was organized under the guidance of Dr. Mohan Singh Directorate of Ayush J&K.
Under the aegis of the Directorate of Ayush, J&K, an Institutional Ethics Committee has been constituted to grant approval for various clinical research studies and establish Ayurveda and Yoga as an evidence-based system of health care. The Institutional Ethics Committee, Govt. Ayurvedic Hospital Jammu is also registered with the Department of Health Research under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The sensitization program was organized on the premises of the Directorate of Ayush, J&K at Indira Chowk, Jammu. It began with the power-point presentation detailing the research opportunities in Ayurveda and Yoga especially in UT of J&K. The participants were briefed about extramural research, ICMR-funded research project, integrative research, literary research, epidemiological research, ethnomedicinal and tribal research.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. Mohan Singh, Director Ayush J&K highlighted the priority areas of research in Ayurveda and Yoga. “In order to boost to and fro referral and to mainstream Ayurveda and Yoga, it is mandatory to conduct clinical studies as per International Good Clinical Practice guidelines in prevalent health conditions with a special focus on non-communicable diseases and lifestyle disorders,” he said.
He stressed that traditional health practices like Dincharya, Ritucharya, Sadvruta, Aachar Rasyan, and Pathya-Apathya have to be validated clinically to make them robust and ready for acceptance for the global community as measures of health promotion. He said that Yoga, Ayurvedic Dietetics, Medicinal Plants, and Tribal Medicine are the areas which are full of research potential.
He shared the roadmap of research and development of Ayush in J&K which include the constitution of a research and development cell in the Directorate of Ayush J&K, multilateral organizations with various stakeholders and research institutions, research standard operative procedures, research data management and publications. He impressed upon the PG doctors of Ayush J&K to work with enthusiasm and zeal for the promotion of research and development in the Ayush Sector of J&K. He also interacted with the participants including PG specialist doctors of various specialties of Ayurveda and Yoga and listened to their research ideas and thoughts.
The program was also attended by Dr. Rakesh Kumar Raina, Assistant Director Ayurveda, Dr. Suresh Sharma, District Ayush Officer, Jammu, Dr. Vandana Dogra, Medical Superintendent and Dr. Aruna Bhat, Deputy Medical Superintendent, Govt. Ayurvedic Hospital Jammu along with many PG and Specialist Doctors of various districts of the Jammu Division. Dr. Rakesh Kumar Raina impressed upon the Ayush Medical Officers to utilize this research platform for the advancement of Ayurveda and Yoga.
