Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, July 12: Stating that there was peaceful co-existence of Allopathy with Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha and Sowa-Rigpa in our country, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that nutrition was the pre-requisite of health and beauty.
Addressing the 12th convocation of the VLCC Institute of Beauty and Nutrition, Mr Azad said India has pluralistic healthcare delivery system where the Government provides opportunity to every recognized medical system to develop and be practiced with a view to provide integrated and holistic healthcare services. “We are open to patronizing best practices and proven standards for the benefit of the people. That is why Naturopathy is also a recognized system in India,” he added.
Recalling that India incorporated traditional medicine services in the public health delivery system since 1960s when AYUSH facilities were set up under one roof in the Central Government Health Scheme dispensaries, Mr Azad said this process of mainstreaming has been augmented under the NRHM with co-location of traditional medicine and homeopathy facilities in the primary health network.
“For mainstreaming of AYUSH under the NRHM, grants-in-aid amounting to more than Rs 550 crore has been given to the State and UT Governments for establishment of new AYUSH facilities in 803 Primary Health Centres, 113 Community Health Centres, 24 District Hospitals and for upgradation of 379 exclusive AYUSH hospitals and 415 Dispensaries. There are 504 AYUSH educational institutions including 111 Post Graduate colleges where about 27,000 students are admitted annually in our country,” he said adding that these include 16 colleges providing degree level education in Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences. India has the largest number of traditional and alternative medicine teaching institutions in the world, the Health Minister further informed.
Talking about the VLCC Institute of Beauty and Nutrition, Mr Azad said this institution was established with a commitment to ensure a better quality of life for everyone by making health, beauty and fitness accessible to all sections of the society, boosting people’s confidence and following ethical and socially relevant business practices.
On the occasion, Mr Azad also distributed certificates to students who passed out from the Institute this year.Q
Follow our WhatsApp channel