THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Action Plan on Ayurveda, under the State Government’s Vision-2030 initiative, has decided to go forward with six strategic ideas that will promote the growth of Ayurveda. The Vision-2030 initiative was conceived and will be mentored by Sam Pitroda.One of the most important of these is the development of world-class ‘Integrative centres of clinical excellence’ in the State. These centres will carry out trans-disciplinary research in a host of speciality areas, ranging from mental health, neuromuscular disorders and paediatrics to ‘Marma’ treatment and veterinary science.The wide-ranging Ayurveda action plan will be guided forward by the Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment (KSCSTE).Another major proposal that was discussed at the meeting of the working committee here the other day was to provide all support for the implementation of insurance cover for Ayurvedic treatment and quality assurance for Ayurvedic drugs and treatment.‘’Kerala’s traditional Ayurvedic system is already well-known worldwide. But we need to make people aware that it is much more than just lifestyle therapy by bringing it on a par with modern health standards and raising its scientific acceptability,” said KSCSTE executive vice-president V N Rajasekharan Pillai.The working committee also endorsed projects to implement a project for microbe-free drinking water and the creation of a database containing clinical evidence from scientifically-validated trials of traditional medicines. Traditional methods such as water storage in copper vessels and addition of certain herbs will be explored as a means to rid water of microbes and make it potable. “In Kerala, we already have age-old systems for purifying water and our aim is to leverage this knowledge base for developing low-cost solutions,” Pillai said.As part of the initiative, a web portal carrying information about Ayurvedic medicines, healthy lifestyles, home remedies, nutrition and yoga will be created. “We hope to make use of mobile phones and other modern communications systems for health education,” Pillai said.Quality standards for traditional medicines manufactured in Kerala and promotion of inter-disciplinary research in pharmaceuticals is also among the proposals.The working group meeting was presided over by Dr Darshan Shankar, vice-chairman of the Bangalore-based Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine (I-AIM).
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