UT Khader calls upon youngsters to popularise Ayush

Mangaluru, Jun 4: It is the responsibility o f the new generation to make the Ayush (ayurveda, yoga, unani, sidda and homoeopathy) popular in the country, said Food and Civil Supplies Minister U?T?Khader.

Speaking at the National Doctors' Day programme and felicitation to senior Ayush practitioners and professors, organised by Ayush Foundation Mangaluru at RAPCC?Hall, Wenlock Hospital premises on Sunday, Mr Khader called upon young Ayush medical practitioners to take forward the yeoman services rendered by seniors in the field.

Khader, who earlier held the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, described Ayush as the future of health.

Stating that the proposed 50-bed Ayush Hospital on Wenlock Hospital premises will be the first-ever such facility in the country, he owed it to the untiring efforts of veterans who reposed faith in the field (Ayush).

Nitte University Vice Chancellor Dr Ramanand Shetty spoke about the demand for integration of Ayush and allopathy.

Citing an example of a research institute in Kerala where doctors from diverse backgrounds work in tandem on a routine basis, Shetty said it is also the need of the hour as primary health care is hit by lack of adequate manpower.

Earlier,?Shetty elaborated on the significance of the Doctors' Day, observed on the birth anniversary of Dr B?C?Roy on July 1 every year.

A renowned physician of the country in those times, Roy was also the chief minister of West Bengal for 14 consecutive years. However, it did not stop him from devoting time to practice his profession, said Shetty, highlighting his commitment.

In his advice to doctors, Shetty wanted them to develop ability to kindle hope in the society, as doctors are considered as “walking gods on earth”.

President of Ayush Foundation Dr Asha Joythi Rai said, “It is the right time to reach people when both the centre and state has taken due note of significance of Ayush”.

Ayush medical practitioners from different taluks in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts were felicitated. They were: Dr A?Ramanujam, Dr?Vishnumurthy Sharma,?Dr Krishna Bhat, Dr M?S?Bhat, D Harish, Dr Sripathi Bhat, Dr B?Srinivas Shetty,?Dr Sunanda Pai, Dr Prashanth Shetty, Dr S?Mathew, Dr Syed Zaheed Hussain and Dr K?S?Aithal.

Ayush students, Dr Ria (Ayurveda), Dr Keerthana (Homoeopathy) and Dr Anju Mahajan (Naturopathy and Yoga) were also felicitated.