New Delhi: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched four major initiaves to boost the Ayush sector in the northeastern region of India on Friday.
In a first, a ‘Panchakarma block’ was inaugurated at the Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI) in Guwahati. A state-of-the-art pharmacology and biochemistry laboratory for Ayush, it was dedicated to the nation by the Union Minister.
He also laid the foundation stones for the permanent campus of the Regional Research Institute for Homoeopathy (RRIH), along with the integrated Ayush Wellness Centre that will come up in Guwahati’s Azara area.
“The traditional system of medicine has been revamped so that it boosts the healthcare delivery system in the country. Given the proven results of our rich healing systems of medicine like ayurveda, yoga, unani, homoeopathy, naturopathy, it is imperative that the centuries-old treatments are incorporated into the modern medicinal practice. The new Panchakarma block as well as the laboratories are steps that will enable Ayush healthcare delivery system in the region,” Sonowal said.
Notably, the foundation stones for the two buildings, Panchakarma block and pharmacology and biochemistry laboratories, were laid by Sonowal on February 12, 2022.
The Panchakarma block was opened with an aim of providing best Panchakarma therapies to people at reasonable rates.
Spanning across an area of 9,453.30 square feet, the new building will conduct scientific validation of Panchakarma therapies. A training course will also be undertaken to train the technicians and ensure quality resources.
The building, developed at a cost of over Rs 7.72 crore, is equipped with dedicated rooms to perform key Panchakarma therapies including a snehana and swedana room, shirodhara room and a basti room.
The building also has a conference hall, special therapy room for VIP guests, a waiting room as well as a canteen.
Built at a cost of Rs 2.71 crore, the pharmacology and biochemistry laboratory is equipped with facilities for drug standardisation and safety and efficacy evaluation of ayurvedic formulations. The laboratories will scientifically validate therapeutic and safety potential of classical ayurvedic formulation, ethno-medicinal plants and plant-based formulations.
Being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 53.89 crore, the RRIH campus project is scheduled to be completed by 2026.
The new campus will be equipped with 50-bed In-patient Department (IPD) units and Outpatient Department (OPD) services with specialty clinics.
A clinical laboratory, emergency unit as well as a minor operation theatre will also be a part of the new campus.