Research in Integrated Medicine will blend modern medicine with Ayurveda – Times of India

By Aditya Wadhawan
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the AYUSH Ministry have joined hands to conduct extensive research in the field of Integrated Medicine. The intent is to merge the modern systems of medicine with that of traditional systems of medicine.
The initiative will include high-quality joint clinical trials on certain diseases combining the use of promising therapies of the AYUSH. As part of this joint research initiative, a working group will be created between the Ministry and ICMR that will hold quarterly meetings for exploring further areas of collaboration and to work on deliverables.
This will benefit students pursuing UG and PG medicine and Ayurveda pursue research. As part of this research collaboration, the department of AYUSH in AIIMS, the Institutes of National Importance (INIs), and JIPMER, Puducherry will be upgraded to departments of Integrated Medicine.
Speaking to Education Times, Dr Amit Gupta, professor, department of Surgery, AIIMS Rishikesh, says, “The Health Ministry is making efforts to combine modern and traditional medicine streams. The joint research initiative will combine Ayurveda with modern medicine to produce qualitative research outcomes in future.”
Dr Gupta highlights the instances of several proven successes in Diabetes with the regular use of Ayurvedic herbs. “Research in Integrated Medicine would prove to be useful in solving disease-specific issues and organ-specific diseases,” he says.
The MBBS students are taught about 5-10 lectures related to AYUSH in their fifth semester. “As part of the orientation session, students are also sent on a field visit on AYUSH at the beginning of their course,” adds Dr Gupta.
Sanjeev Sharma, vice-chancellor, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, says, “During current times, it is essential to focus on broadening the research prospects in Integrative Medicine as it would qualitatively enhance the healthcare practices in the country. Integrative medicine would lead to the convergence of modern medicine with that of traditional medicine which would enable the students to broaden their knowledge and also learn new hands-on techniques.
These days even after completing their MBBS and Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS), students do not become fully fit to become professional medical practitioners. Post completing their graduation, students either pursue their post-graduation or opt for a government job. By getting involved in conducting research related to Integrated Medicines, students’ knowledge level would be qualitatively enhanced, and they would be better equipped to become medical practitioners.”
“This will enable the translation of the scientific basis of Ayurveda into the modern language of Science which will help the Ayurveda fraternity to produce some evidence and data of its efficacy,” explains Sharma.