Thiruvananthapuram: The Centre has pledged financial support to set up a state-of-the-art Ayurvedic Clinical Research Centre in Kerala to help scientifically validate traditional systems of healing and medicine and integrate them with mainstream public healthcare delivery.
Union Minister for State for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik gave the assurance while announcing the new National Programme of Ayurveda Inspired Discovery and Research, initiated by the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) and the proposed National Ayurveda Expo 2015, to be held in April.
The RGCB is setting up a National Centre for Excellence for Ayurveda Inspired Discovery to lead research into efficacy mechanisms involved in Ayurvedic therapeutics.
At a function here today Naik said the Centre would fund for the setting up of the clinical research facility at Konni in Pathanathitta district, as state Minister for Health and Family Welfare V S Sivakumar promised to provide 50 acres required for the project.
He also urged stakeholders in the AYUSH sector to intensify research and awareness to promote the Indian system of medicines in foreign countries.
The knowledge of 5000-year-old Ayurveda can be utilised for the benefit of the society through proper research and studies in the sector, he said.
"We should promote and propagate the Indian system of medicines and its benefits not only within the country but also abroad. AYUSH medicines are needed to be propagated globally. For that I urge AYUSH industry to promote research studies and come up with quality medicines," he said.
The Union Minister, who had been touring the state for some days to learn more about Ayurvedic practices, its education and industry, also said "Kerala can contribute immensely towards raising the status of traditional healthcare systems for which we require scientific inputs, standardisation and certification processes."
The state Health minister Sivakumar noted that in Kerala "Ayurveda is not only an alternative way of treatment, but also one of the engines for the state's economic growth. The industry, which is worth Rs 1,000 crore annually, aims to grow five-fold by 2020."
