Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 27 2009:
With the stated objective of show-casing the strengths and potentials of the traditional systems of medicine and to encourage medicinal plant growers, AROGYA, 2009, a comprehensive health fair on Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoepathy (AYUSH) has begun from today at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen here.
Being organised by Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Government of Manipur in collaboration with Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), the health fair would continue till November 30 .
Governor Gurbachan Jagat inaugurated the health fair as chief guest.
Chief Secretary of the State DS Poonia presided over the function.
Joint Secretary of AYUSH Department, Government of India SK Pandey and Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Manipur V Vumlunmang were also present at the occasion as guests of honour.
Giving the key note address, State Nodal Officer of AROGYA Imphal Dr L Premila Devi observed that people in general have not been able to utilise the benefits of traditional system of treatment through AYUSH which is cheap but effective due to lack of awareness.
So the main objective behind organising the health fair is spread awareness as well as to encourage growers of medicinal plants used in traditional system of treatment.
In his address as chief guest of the function, Governor Gurbachan Jagat observed that while the science of medicine has advanced enormously today, there is still a great deal that need to be done in medicare and health system.
Many diseases have been prevented, controlled and cured, yet many more emerged.
So the scope of medicare needs to be expanded.
On the importance of integrating traditional and herbal medicines with public and private health care, the Governor noted that natural supplements are central in helping the human body to counter harmful effects of modern lifestyle by enabling people to rediscover the healing potential of the nature.
He pointed out that many antibiotics, tranquillisers, analgesics, sedatives, anaesthetics, pain relievers and laxatives are derived from plants.
A quarters of all prescriptions sold every year in the US have plant chemicals as active ingredients and an estimated six billion dollars per year are spent on pharmaceutical medicines derived from tropical plants.
Hence, the common people need to be aware of the natural origins of pharmaceutical drugs, he said.
He further said that it is a matter of satisfaction that an AYUSH cell is working under the State Health Services and setting up of a separate Department of AYUSH in the State is under process.
Six more 10-bedded AYUSH Wings are coming up in different district hospitals while another 50-bedded multi-speciality AYUSH Hospital has been proposed.