The Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, today inaugurated the International Conference on “Food and Nutrition in Unani Medicine for Good Health and welfare” in Srinagar. On this occasion, the Minister announced that the Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine will be developed into a Center of Excellence. Ayush MoS and WCD Dr Munjpara Mahendrabhai also attended the conference.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sonowal said the importance of a balanced and nutritious diet is the key to a healthy life and to the prevention and treatment of disease. Unani physicians recommend treatment with appropriate dietary changes before drug treatment. He said that in this regard, the ministry wishes to transform the Unani Regional Medical Research Institute into an Ayush Center of Excellence in Ilaj bi’l-Tadbir (Regimental Therapy). The minister informed the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Ayush have published benchmarks for training in Unani medicine and this document will address aspects such as training requirements for good quality Unani medicine services.

The inaugural session saw the release of a conference souvenir and eight books published by CCRUM, the release of two Unani e-books developed by the National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage operating under CCARS in Hyderabad, the distribution of certificates YCB to Congratulate Yoga Instructors, Yoga MoU Exchange and Live Yoga Performance, Launch of CCRUM Apps and Presentation of NABH Accreditation Certificate at RRIUM Srinagar. With the launch of mobile apps on Unique Unani Medicines, Unani Treatment Guidelines and Know Your Temperament App, the Union Minister was appreciated by all stakeholders as it was the first initiative of this guy from CCRUM, ministry of Ayush in the field of Unani medicine.

In his address, Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai said that Unani medicine provides detailed guidelines on healthy eating habits to maintain health and prevent disease. He praised the role of the Ayush system in boosting immunity through medicinal drugs and foods and in fighting COVID-19. He also appreciated CCRUM’s contributions to research and development in Unani medicine.

The titles of the books published by the CCRUM are “Orientation Guidelines for Community Health Officers (Under Unani Stream)”, “Antiarthritic Plants in Unani Medicine”, “Hepatoprotective Plants in Unani Medicine”, “Glimpses of Activities and Achievements of Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine’, ‘Advanced Analytical Methods for Quality Control of Unani Drugs – Araqiyat (Distillates)’, ‘Riyad al-Adwiya (Urdu translation)’ ‘Adwiya Kabidiyya: Qadeem-o-Jadeed Tahqiqat ki Raushni mein’, ‘National Unani Formulary of Medicine, Vol. IV, 2nd edition’.

Shri Pramod Kumar Pathak, Special Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Shri Vivek Bhardwaj, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Health and Medical Education, J&K, Vaidya Jayant Deopujari, Chairman, National Commission for Indian System of Medicine, Teacher. Talat Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, Prof. Akbar Masood, Vice Chancellor, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Prof. Asim Ali Khan, Director General, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) and Dr MA Qasmi, Counselor (Unani), Ministry of Ayush also honored the conference organized by CCRUM, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India as part of Unani Day 2022 celebrations on 10-11 March 2022 in hybrid mode.

(With GDP entries)