Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said that Jammu Kashmir has been a major centre of Indian System of Medicine (ISM) since ancient times.
“J&K has been a major center of the Indian system of medicine since ancient times and according to Kalhana's Rajtarangini, a well-developed Ayurveda hospital was functional those days”, Lieutenant Governor said while addressing a Consultative meeting on “Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission - Heal in India, Heal by India” at University of Kashmir on Friday.
The meeting was organized by the National Commission for ISM, Ministry of AYUSH during which a large gathering of health professionals and practitioners of ISM from across the country participated.
He said “Kalhana also wrote that J&K had flourishing Ayurvedic drug manufacturing units and Ayurvedic pharmacies”,.
The Lt Governor reiterated the Government's aim to make J&K a hub of medical and wellness tourism and to contribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of ‘Heal in India’ and ‘Heal by India’.
He said the deliberations during this important meeting will build a solid framework for exchange of ideas to promote ISM and implementation of two important components of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission – Healthcare Professional Registry and Healthcare Facility Registry in J&K.
He said Jammu and Kashmir is fully prepared to become an important centre of AYUSH and ‘Heal in India’ campaign, which will not only promote medicine but also create immense business and employment opportunities in the healthcare sector.
With such a rich legacy, we are committed to investment and innovation in AYUSH and to strengthen the traditional system of medicines. It has tremendous growth potential and J&K bestowed with nature's bounty and rich medicinal plants will promote startups and business units in AYUSH, he added.
He said the world has recognized the Indian System of Medicine as the oldest, effective and scientific health system for prevention and cure. Now the time has come to connect the new generation with this heritage and rich legacy to fulfil the vision of One Earth, One Health, he added.
The Lt Governor said the ministry of AYUSH and J&K administration are working together with the vision of ‘One Earth, One Health’ to serve the global community through integrated and ancient Indian System of medicine, he said.
He also highlighted several milestones achieved in the AYUSH sector in J&K including Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital at Akhnoor, Unani Medical College and Hospital at Ganderbal and upgradation of 442 AYUSH Dispensaries have been done for the well-being of the people. Five 50-Bedded Integrated AYUSH Hospitals in Districts of Kulgam, Kathua, Kupwara, Kishtwar and Samba have been approved by the Ministry of AYUSH under National AYUSH Mission to strengthen AYUSH secondary healthcare.
He said to promote Medical Tourism in J&K, 6 Specialized AYUSH Wellness Centres at famous tourist places-Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Patnitop, Katra and Golf Course Jammu and Srinagar have been approved, out of which three centres have been made operational.