THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Taking a healthy interest in ayurveda, the State government is contemplating a multi-pronged plan to promote the traditional branch of medicine and make it available to all across the state.
In the draft Health Policy for Kerala 2017, the government proposes to convert all ayurveda dispensaries in the local bodies into primary health centres. This is aimed at giving a shot in the arm to the public health sector.
The draft policy calls for strengthening the district and taluk ayurveda hospitals. It also says more staff and field workers should be appointed in the primary health centres. The service of ASHA workers can also be utilised, it says.
The plan also stresses the necessity to strengthen district ayurveda hospitals by setting up specialist departments. Ayurveda hospitals should be set up in all taluks and traditional medicine and yoga centres should be started in various institutions. All health services like ESI, CHIS, RSBY and Karunya should be made available at such hospitals, says the policy.
Moreover, the policy also recommends new ayurveda medical colleges under the government. With regard to ensuring quality of ayurveda education, the policy says certain restrictions and arrangements should be brought in. The accreditation of such educational institutions should be done strictly adhering to Central regulations.
It also proposes PG diploma courses in various ayurveda streams as well as new nursing and paramedical courses.
Draft policy
Noting the development of various medical streams are now under a single university, the draft policy points out the necessity of a separate AYUSH University. With regard to medicines, it says the law should be made stricter to deal with fake drug manufacturers.