Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has formulated a task force for scientific validation of Ayurveda and traditional medicine formulas through research institutions, to be used in the treatment of COVID-19.
- The task force has members from the department of biotechnology (DBT), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and also AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) practitioners.
- Already AYUSH ministry has received around 1,300 proposals under Ayurveda, 700 under homoeopathy, and 100 each for Unani and Siddha of which many will be sent to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and other research institutes after screening them for assessing their scientific validity.
Key Points:
-If the suggestion adhered to the scientific validity then it would then be tried on patients suffering from Covid-19, first on asymptomatic ones or non-severe patients and also suspects.
-On the preventive front, Haryana, Goa and Kerala, have already started using ayurvedic medicines along with regular allopathic medicines for asymptomatic patients and even frontline workers.
Background:
In January 2020, the AYUSH ministry had issued an advisory for the “prevention” of COVID-19 using homeopathy and “symptomatic management” using Unani medicines but received massive criticism for spreading pseudo scientific medicines as alternative medicines.
- After PM Modi’s appeals, the AYUSH ministry had called for inputs from AYUSH practitioners and AYUSH institutions on therapies and procedures and formulas that could curb the spread of COVID-19 which resulted in numerous suggestions on the online channel on Ayush Ministry’s website.
About AYUSH Ministry
Establishment– 2014
Minister of State (MoS)– Shri Shripad Yesso Naik
Secretary– Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha
