Ayurveda to be part of MBBS syllabus

Ayurveda to be part of MBBS syllabus
By Santosh Andhale | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA
[NB: All medical colleges in Maharashtra State to introduce Ayurveda in MBBS ]

The Maharashtra University of Health Science (MUHS) has announced that basic Ayurveda will be part of the MBBS syllabus in medical colleges in the state from the coming academic year.
The decision was taken following recommendations of the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH). “Maharashtra will be the first state to implement these directives,” said Dr Arun Jamkar, MUHS vice chancellor.

There are 34 private and government medical colleges in the state. Their syllabus comes under the purview of the MUHS. According to the AYUSH recommendations, every medical college should reserve at least 20 hours to teach Ayurvedic science in MBBS classes.

“Modern medicine doctors should be familiar with ancient medicine and its treatment methodology. Students will not get marks for the study of Ayurveda, but it will be mandatory,” Jamkar said.

He said that most universities across the world teach the ancient medicine of their respective cultures. For instance, modern medicine doctors in China get lessons in Chinese medicine. “We, too, are introducing the study of our ancient medicine. We are proud that we will be the first state in the country to implement the AYUSH directives,” he said.

Dr Vijay Magar, associate professor at the RA Podar Ayurvedic College and Hospital, said: “It is a welcome move. But instead of 20 hours in the course, there should be one lecture every week devoted to Ayurveda studies. In America, there are separate institutes to conduct research in individual herbal products.”

Sanjay Oak, dean of KEM Hospital, said that teaching Ayurveda in MBBS classes is a good idea, but permission will have to be taken from the Medical Council of India before implementing the decision. According to experts from the Haffkine Institute, which recently started researching on herbal products to regulate the production of Ayurvedic medicines, scientific validation for Ayurveda will help India enlarge its share in the global drug market. The present global herbal market is worth $70 billion and is growing annually at a rate of 10-15%. The global nutraceutical market is worth $142 billion.

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_ayurveda-to-be-part-of-mbbs-syllabus_1532385
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