Shalteng Unani Hospital to be operationalised within fortnight: Sham Lal Sharma

SRINAGAR: Minister for Health, Horticulture & Floriculture, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma today disclosed that the Shalteng Unani Hospital will start its functioning within a fortnight and will provide the indoor and outdoor facilities for the patients desirous to get AYUSH treatment. This, he said, would also help the aspiring Unani doctors to undergo for house jobs.
Speaking at a one-day National Summit on Development of Unani Medicine-Challenges and Opportunities, organized by the Directorate of Indian System of Medicines (ISM) at Kashmir University today, the Minister said that to promote the ISM/Unani sector in the country, the Central Government has established a full-fledged department in the Health Ministry known as AYUSH. This has been done with a view to develop the sector at par with allopathic system of medicine. Similarly, efforts are being made to develop this sector in the State so that large number of people could avail the benefits of traditional treatment, he added.
The Minister said in view of growing number of patients opting for traditional treatment, the Government has made available the services of AYUSH doctors in every District hospital and Primary Health Centres along with adequate stock of unani/ayurvedic medicines. He said AYUSH doctors have been strictly advised to prescribe only AYUSH medicines to maintain their own identity.
Elaborating the measures initiated by the State Government to strengthen the AYUSH in the State, the Minister said that a Medicinal Board has been set up with a provision of funds amounting to Rs. 16 crore. He said the State has been blessed with rich potential of natural herbs and a conducive environment for cultivation of medicinal plants. To carry out the research work in the AYUSH, the Government has also sanctioned a research centre at Srinagar, he added.
Jammu and Kashmir being a tourist destination, the Minister said that Government was contemplating to establish AYUSH Spas at different locations across the State for the visitors to promote health tourism. He said about one crore pilgrims perform yatra of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji and about 10 lakh pilgrims come for Shri Amarnath Ji yatra and these two destinations are fit for creating these facilities.
Congratulating the organizers for holding this informative summit, the Minister said that such events provide opportunities to the professionals to update their knowledge in innovative fields. He hoped that the summit would prove useful for the participants and they will utilize the experience on ground.
Various speakers delivered their lectures on the subject and shared their experiences and suggested measures to further promote the AYUSH in the State.