Health Minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, in an attempt to tackle the issue of vaccination against Japanese Encephalitis has left for Beijing to approach China
Health Minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, in an attempt to tackle the issue of vaccination against Japanese Encephalitis has left for Beijing to approach China, the only country where the vaccine is available in a sizeable quantity. The heavy toll of valuable human lives in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar has prompted the initiative by the health Minister.
The health minister has also planned for detailed discussions with the Chinese minister for National Population and Family Planning Commission and the Food and Drug Administration officials in China. The minister, who participated in the inauguration of ‘Arogya- 2005’, held in Hyderabad recently, unraveled that nearly 1.40 lakh Indian Medicine Formulations would be patented soon. The move is expected to popularize Indian Medicine and promote academic initiatives with respect to Yoga across the country. He also expressed the need for preserving and nurturing the traditional form of medicine that adds pride to the Indian heritage.The Arogya health fair had been organized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in New Delhi and Chennai. The overwhelming response to the fair had been instrumental behind the organization of the fair in Hyderabad. Attempts are being undertaken to organize the fair in different cities and proposals are being made to convert it into an annual event.
Indian Traditional Medicine has been regarded to be the best with regard to prevention and promotive medicine. As a part of the promotional campaign, a Golden Triangle Project with a fund of Rs 120 crore has been initiated involving ICMR, CSIR and Indian System of Medicine. A Traditional Knowledge Digital Library has already been set up in addition to the translation services involving diverse languages such as Persian, English, French, Spanish, German and Sanskrit.
Furthermore, he sated that efforts are being taken up in full swing to bring in an amendment to the Medical Council of India Act to make MCI more transparent and efficient. He also acknowledged several complaints regarding the maintenance and functioning of some private medical colleges and said that appropriate action is being taken to ensure welfare of the students.
It has also been proposed to make one-year internship in rural hospitals compulsory for medical students to cater to the health needs of the rural community. The possibility of introducing an orientation programme on Indian Medicine to MBBS students is also under consideration.
Responding to the Government’s preparation to tackle bird flu, he said that the Animal Husbandry Ministry and Health Ministry has been keeping a watch over the situation for the past 15 months.
