Modi pitches for an ayurveda-led health revolution ›

Like the IT revolution a few years ago, the time has come for a health revolution under the aegis of ayurveda... More investment is needed in the sector for better growth. NARENDRA MODI, Prime Minister

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the first ever 200-bed ayurveda hospital on the lines of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi and said his government plans to establish such traditional medical institutes in every district of the country.

“There is a strong need to integrate traditional and modern systems of medicines. This ayurveda hospital, which is like AIIMS, is equipped with most advanced technologies needed to treat patients,” Modi said as he launched the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) on the National Ayurveda Day.

The AIIA, which will function under the ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy or Ayush, aims to offer quality patient care and become a research hub in generating scientific information about quality, safety, and efficacy of ayurvedic products.

Modi said a country cannot move forward if it is not proud of its legacy. “We forgot our legacy for a long time...but now we have started remembering it again,” the Prime Minister said.

He said there’s a long list of benefits of ayurveda and added that people are showing interest in traditional medicines.

“People are attracted not only to good health but also wellness... (There is a) need to strengthen ayurveda,” the Prime Minister said. “Like the IT revolution a few years ago, the time has come for a ‘health revolution’ under the aegis of ayurveda,” he added.

“More investment is needed in this sector for better growth,” Modi said as he appealed to private companies to contribute a part of their corporate social responsibility funds towards developing yoga and ayurveda.

The AIIA’S outpatient department (OPD) facility started functioning a few months ago and deals with neurological and degenerative diseases, rheumatology and musculoskeletal conditions, diabetes and metabolic disorders, allergic disorders, yoga, panchakarma, kriyakalpa, diabetic retinopathy and infertility among other conditions.

The first phase of the hospital was built with a budget of ₹157 crore. The hospital has a panchakarma therapy clinic that provides personalised care and diagnostic labs that conduct specialised tests and scans.

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