Centre setting up homoeo, unani research centres in Navi Mumbai

The ministry of ayurveda, unani, siddha and homoeopathy (AYUSH) is setting up a research institute for homoeopathy and unani under the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) and Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), respectively, at Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, in Maharashtra.

Minister of state (independent charge) for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik laid the foundation stone for the construction of the research facility on Monday.

The institute will be a premier institute in Maharashtra and a regional centre for research activities in homoeopathy and unani medicine.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said high quality research in homoeopathy and unani medicine is essential for the growth, further development and their scientific usage in the healthcare systems.

He said the AYUSH ministry is committed to strengthening of all existing research institutes.

The upcoming institute is a significant step for inculcating research aptitude in students of various colleges already functional in Maharashtra, the minister explained. He also assured full cooperation of the central government in the development of AYUSH systems in Maharashtra.

He emphasised the need for the government of Maharashtra to utilise provisions of centrally sponsored schemes and establish homoeopathic and unani colleges in the government sector. There is need to give employment to homoeopathic and unani doctors at primary health care, the minister pointed out.

Speaking on the occasion Dr Arun Bhasme, vice president, Central Council of Homoeopathy, said there is a need to develop AYUSH infrastructure in the state. This can be done under the patronage of the ministry of AYUSH with the active involvement of the state government.

Dr Kuldeep Raj Kohli, director, AYUSH, stated that development of AYUSH institutes, colleges and hospitals is the prime concern of the state. He stressed that this institute should also provide post graduate education in homoeopathy and unani.

These regional institutes of homoeopathy and unani medicine will be completed within 18 months. When fully operational, these institutes will offer world class homoeopathy and unani treatment, apart from undertaking research in incurable diseases like HIV/AIDS, cancer, chronic skin diseases like psoriasis, vitiligo etc.

These institutes will be equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories and investigation facilities where patients can be given treatment with modern outlook.

Interdisciplinary research is very important in the field of medicine and since Mumbai is already having various institutes of repute like IIT Mumbai, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and the Institute of Chemical Technology, National Institute of Virology in nearby Pune, path breaking research will be possible in the much neglected field of homoeopathy and unani systems with active collaboration of these institutes.