Indian pluralism in medicine reflects cultural diversity in unity: Union Minister

Tirupati: Union Minister of State for Ayush Shripad Yesso Naik inaugurated the Sidda clinical research unit at SVIMS Super Specialty Hospital here on Wednesday.

The minister addressing the doctors and staff of the SVIMS on the occasion, said the Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS), an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of AYUSH is an apex body in India for undertaking, coordinating, formulating, developing and promoting research on scientific lines in Siddha.

“The activities of CCRS are being carried out through 7 peripheral institutes / units located in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Union Territories of Puducherry and New Delhi. The research activities of the Siddha Council include clinical research, drug research, fundamental and literary research in Siddha,” he added. 

Expressing happiness over inaugurating the first research unit in Tirupati functioning under the aegis of Ministry of AYUSH through CCRS at SVIMS, Yesso Naik said the ministry of AYUSH was working towards providing accessible traditional healthcare AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) for the well-being of citizens of the country and people across the globe. 

He said that Medical pluralism in India was a reflection of Indian cultural system of adopting unity in diversity which is intertwined. The traditional Indian systems of health care, evolved over thousands of years, have absorbed and adapted developments for maintaining their individual identity.

“In this regard, there is enormous potential to carry out research activities in collaboration with the SVIMS. In this direction, establishment of Siddha clinical research unit will definitely play a vital role in building the scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of Siddha medicine through integrated approach for the benefit of the general public,’’ he added. 

The Union minister expressed optimism that considering the strengths of Siddha, the Andhra Pradesh government would provide suitable space for accommodating and upgrading this institute as a Siddha Regional Research Institute. Dr T S Ravikumar, director-cum-Vice-Chancellor, SVIMS, and doctors, staff and students of the super specialty hospital were present in the inauguration programme.