Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh addresses virtual meet of India’s leading experts in AYUSH 

According to the minister, the widespread use of Homoeopathy and other medicines to build up immunity have generated interest in the alternative systems of medicines

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said that COVID pandemic has reiterated the merits of integrated medical management and added that in the times to come, serious thought would require to be given to this aspect for a more effective medical prophylaxis as well as therapeutics.

Addressing a virtual meet of some of India’s leading experts in AYUSH including Dr Nagendra Acharya, Head Vivekananda Centre Bengaluru, Dr Ramanathan from Sitaram Ayurvedic Hospital, Thrissur, Cochin, Dr Zamir Ahmad Consultant from Unani Medical Sciences Aligarh Muslim University, Dr Ashok Sharma, Homoeopathic Consultant, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences New Delhi, Dr Singh recalled that even though the merits of integrated or holistic management had been realised even in the case of non-communicable diseases, Diabetes Mellitus, somehow this aspect did not receive the kind of attention that was required.

He further said, there are ample evidence and research papers to show that even on treatment with insulin oral antidiabetic drugs, a patient with diabetes can achieve better blood sugar control and reduce the dose of medicine, if simultaneously be advised to practise other methods including Yoga, Naturopathy, etc.

In the context of COVID-19, Dr Singh said that since it is a viral disease where the prognosis depends on the immunity of the patient and, therefore, the importance of building immunity was realised. The widespread use of Homoeopathy and other medicines to build up immunity have generated interest in the alternative systems of medicines.

During the virtual meet, Dr Acharya presented a new protocol of Yoga, specifically meant for different classes, namely below 60 years age group, above 60 years age group and in hospitalised patients. The entire protocol could be practised within 15 minutes.