Srinagar, Sep 26: Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine (RRIUM), Srinagar, under the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, today organized a National Seminar on “Ilāj bi’l-Tadbīr for Musculoskeletal Disorders” under its Centre of Excellence (CoE) Project at Gandhi Bhawan, University of Kashmir, Srinagar. The seminar brought together academicians, researchers, clinicians, scholars and experts to deliberate on the scientific evaluation and clinical application of Unani regimenal therapies in the management of musculoskeletal disorders.
The inaugural session was attended by Vice Chancellor, Central University of Kashmir, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, as Chief Guest. Director General, CCRUM, Dr. N. Zaheer Ahmed presided over the programme. Director, National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM), Prof. Saiyad Shah Alam, MLA Hazratbal, Salman Sagar, and Principal, Government Unani Medical College, Srinagar, Prof. (Dr.) Iffat H. Shah, attended as Guests of Honour.
Welcoming the participants, Deputy Director, RRIUM Srinagar, Dr. Irfat Ara highlighted the activities of the Centre of Excellence in Ilāj bi’l-Tadbīr, established at the institute in 2022. She said the Centre is engaged in the systematic promotion, documentation and scientific evaluation of Unani regimenal therapies and has undertaken research projects aimed at generating evidence on their therapeutic potential.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Iffat H. Shah emphasized the importance of evidence-based healthcare and scientific validation of therapeutic procedures, while Prof. Saiyad Shah Alam underlined the relevance of Unani regimenal therapies in contemporary healthcare and stressed the need for standardization, measurable outcomes and robust scientific evidence to strengthen their scientific foundation.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. N. Zaheer Ahmed highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary and collaborative research and noted that CCRUM has established partnerships with institutions including CSIR, ICMR, IITs and other reputed scientific and academic organizations to advance research in traditional medicine. He emphasized the need for high-quality scientific data, standardization, well-defined SOPs and innovation to strengthen the evidence base of Unani medicine. He also announced that CCRUM would provide an ambulance to RRIUM Srinagar to support public outreach and healthcare service activities.
Salman Sagar appreciated the initiative and emphasized the need to expand community healthcare and medical outreach programmes. He also announced the allocation of an ambulance to RRIUM Srinagar to support patient-care and outreach activities.
In his address, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath highlighted the relevance of traditional systems of medicine in contemporary healthcare and stressed the importance of evidence-based research, innovation, scientific validation and appropriate integration with modern healthcare systems.
A significant highlight of the seminar was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CCRUM and the Central University of Kashmir by Dr. N. Zaheer Ahmed and Prof. A. Ravinder Nath. The MoU aims to promote academic collaboration, joint research and capacity-building initiatives in areas of mutual interest.
The seminar featured three technical sessions, including a poster presentation session, providing a platform for scientific deliberations and exchange of research findings. A hands-on training programme on selected Unani regimenal therapies was also conducted, offering participants practical exposure to the principles and procedures of Ilāj bi’l-Tadbīr.
