ICMR recommends introductory lessons in Indian medicine for doctors

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on friday said it has proposed to the Medical Council of India the inclusion of introductory lessons in Indian system of medicine, including ayurveda, in the curriculum for doctors.

"We have suggested to the Medical Council there should be some introductory lessons taught in the curriculum for medical doctors to understand the Indian system of medicine, including ayurveda," ICMR Director General Soumya Swaminathan said at the Seventh World Ayurveda Congress.

Discussing ICMR's initiatives leveraging ayurveda for healthcare, she said the challenge is to make allopathy and ayurveda work together.

"There are a few issues which come up actually when we talk about the scientific validation and clinical trials for ayurveda products. The whole way of approaching the patient is very different in ayurveda. Therefore, we need to find a way in which both the systems can work together," she added, also stressing on safety studies and standardisation of drugs.

--IANS

sgh/vd