BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to give a push to alternative systems of medicine and bringing them into the mainstream, the Government has firmed up plans to set up an advanced Integrated Ayush Hospital in the State. The 50-bed hospital specialising on Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani and Siddha will be located either in Puri or Berhampur. Land for the purpose has been identified in both the cities and a final call on its location will be taken soon. The hospital would be established at an estimated cost of `10.50 crore under the National Ayush Mission which was launched in Odisha on Monday by State Health and Family Welfare Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak. The proposal has been submitted to the Union Ayush Ministry. The Health Minister announced the decision to set up ‘Yoga and Wellness Centres’ at major cities like Bhubaneswar, Puri, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Rourkela and Balangir soon. In the Capital City, such centres will come up at seven major parks and offer yoga training under guidance of experts, Nayak said. As the National Ayush Mission comes into operation, the State Government has submitted an Action Plan of `42 crore to the Centre. The mission would concentrate on four areas, upgradation of Ayush health delivery systems and educational institutions, quality control of Ayush drugs and promotion of medicinal plants. There are nine hospitals, 619 Ayurvedic dispensaries, 562 homeopathy dispensaries, nine Unani dispensaries and 1,185 co-locational units like PHCs, CHCs where Ayush doctors are posted by the Health department. The hospitals and dispensaries would be upgraded with infrastructure, equipment and quality medicine. Of 1,021 posts of Ayush doctors, 160 are lying vacant, which will be filled up soon. The three Ayurvedic medical colleges and four homeopathy colleges will also undergo infrastructure development and adequate manpower infusion, Ayush Mission director Dr Basudev Bahinipati said. The Health department will also intensify efforts to ensure quality of Ayush drugs being sold in the market. Efforts would also be made to train traditional healers or Baidyas in adopting good manufacturing practices (GMP) for preparing their medicines. The Government has also decided to adopt a proactive policy to promote medicinal plant gardens in the State. Two villages in Ganjam and Khurda districts will be selected as Ayush villages for promoting the alternative system of medicine. @http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Alternative-Medicine-Govt-Proposes-Ayush-Hospital/2015/08/18/article2980269.ece

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