‘Addressing Covid outbreak with clinical studies of Ayush systems’
The ministry of Ayush (ayurveda, yoga & naturopathy, unani, siddha and homoeopathy) is also active in India’s fight against Covid-19. In an interview to Rhythma Kaul, Ayush minister Shripad Yesso Naik talks about initiatives launched by his ministry and studies being carried out to generate scientific evidence in favour of ayurvedic herbs in the treatment of Covid-19. Edited excerpts:
How is the Ayush ministry contributing to managing the Covid-19 situation in the country?
The ministry has taken several initiatives like research in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), public health institutes, and through its research councils and national institutes. It has released health advisory vetted from Ayush experts toward immune boosting measures. There is also a dedicated dashboard to provide real-time information on all Covid-19 related activities...
Are any attempts being made to generate scientific evidence for traditional medicines?
The ministry is addressing the pandemic through clinical studies of Ayush systems, and also studying the impact of Ayush-based prophylactic interventions in high-risk population. It’s also studying impact of Ayush advocacies and Ayush measures for prevention of Covid-19. The ministry has set up an interdisciplinary task force to formulate strategies for this...the ministry has initiated collaborative studies with ministries of health, and science & technology through CSIR with support of ICMR for studying identified Ayurveda herbs as add on to hydroxychloroquine in Covid-19.
Certain preventive advisories against Covid-19 were issued by the ministry that had mentioned some medicines for it, but were later withdrawn after they were criticized. Will you clarify?
The ministry’s advisory suggested immune boosting measures and symptomatic management with a disclaimer that this was not the treatment or cure of Coviod-19, and it is still available online.
How do you see things changing for alternative systems of medicine in post Covid-19 world?
There has been a paradigm shift from the disease: cureoriented medical practices toward health-oriented services where people are becoming aware of prevention of disease and salutogenesis (medical approach focusing on factors that support human health and well-being) that is making the body strong... Post Covid-19, I believe this will further strengthen.
Now Aatmanirbharta is the buzz word. What are focus areas for the ministry for self-reliance?
With its introduction in Ayushman Bharat and initiation of health and wellness centres, it will certainly be achieved in near future. We are also committed in propagating advocacies on healthy lifestyle and use of common Ayush systems, yoga, pranayam etc. among masses.
Ayush medicines have a market outside India but still lag in comparison to Chinese traditional medicine. How do you plan to promote brand make-in-India?
Ministry of Ayush has taken several initiatives to bring Ayush on a global platform, and to improve its market ... The ministry is also organizing International Arogya to promote the Indian systems at global level.
The demand for traditional Indian herbal products has increased in India as well as at the international level ....