Homeopathy, yurveda gaining global acceptance: Azad

Highlighting the growing "coalition of allopathic and homeopathic" systems of medical treatment, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Saturday said traditional forms of medicines like homeopathy and ayurveda have gained acceptance worldwide.

"The acceptance of ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddha, sowa rigpa and homoeopathy (AYUSH)... homeopathy in particular... they are ccepted in over 100 countries," Azad said while launching the book 'The Banerji Protocols: A New Method of Treatment with Homeopathic Medicines' here.

"Traditional medicines from India like ayurveda are not confined to the boundaries of India," he added.

Compiled by homeopathy experts Prasanta Banerji and Pratip Banerji, the 'The Banerji Protocols...' is a new system of medicine in which specific homeopathic medicines are prescribed for specific diseases.

"The protocol can be used safely. Medicines are eco-friendly and the treatment is comparatively cost-effective with regard to other medical treatments. 'The Banerji Protocols...' has been forwarded to the Indian Council of Medical Research for further action," said Azad.

Azad added out that the "most important" step taken by the government was to fuse allopathy and homeopathy streams, which have "different protocols".

"Among the most important things is a coalition of allopathy and homeopathic systems. Almost 40 to 50 percent hospitals in the districts have this coalition."

"During the last four years, Rs.553 crore has been provided for mainstreaming of AYUSH," he said.

Shedding light on the new initiatives under the 12th plan, Azad said quality control centres and drug control centres will be set up to standardise AYUSH.

"Central drug control for AYUSH for standardisation and five hi-tech quality control centres at the regional level are also being planned. Homeopathic medicines pharmaceutical corporations for providing and manufacturing drugs are also being planned," said Azad.