The state would utilise the Rs 20 crore sanctioned by the Centre for promoting ayurveda in Kerala.
“Efforts are being made by the Kerala government to modernise the district and taluk ayurveda hospitals in the state by providing better facilities within the next 8-10 months,” said PK Sreemathi, state health minister in her inaugural address at ‘Nethra 2009’, a national symposium on ayurvedic ophthalmology, here.
The funds would be utilised for providing better facilities. Masseurs and pharmacists would also be appointed at all the district and taluk hospitals, she said, adding the Centre had also allotted Rs 20 crore for the homeopathy department.
S Jalaja, secretary, Department of Ayurveda - Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (Ayush), said efforts were being made to promote ayurveda by confidence-building. These systems had their own values, which cannot be compromised.
The minister said a quality certification scheme for ayurvedic medicines had been launched by Ayush.
The Centre had allotted Rs 80,000 crore in five years for providing primary healthcare in curative system under the National Rural Health Mission.
The Ayush budget in the 11th Plan was Rs 4,000 crore, including Rs 1,000 crore for the Medicinal Plant board.
