The Hindu : Front Page : Manmohan Singh calls for ensuring quality control of Siddha medicine

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 04, 2005

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Front Page

Manmohan Singh calls for ensuring quality control of Siddha medicine

Special Correspondent

Explore complementarity of Indian systems of medicine, says the Prime Minister

CHENNAI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday stressed the need for developing and patenting modern manufacturing processes, besides ensuring strict adherence to good manufacturing practices and standardisation and quality control of Siddha medicines.

Inaugurating the National Institute of Siddha (NIS), a joint venture of the Centre and the State Government at Tambaram Sanatorium, he said that in partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Indian Council for Medical Research, universities and pharmaceutical companies, the NIS would have to standardise frequently-used formulations.

Dr. Singh said the complementarity of various Indian systems of medicine must be explored and exploited to enrich every system. "By adopting the best therapies and formulations of other systems, we can make them more broad-based and effective in dealing with diseases. This can be worked out in a transparent manner by involving all stakeholders."

The NIS could play a pioneering role by reforming and developing the curriculum for graduate and postgraduate degrees.

Referring to palm leaves of great antiquity, which contained invaluable medicinal formulations and provided deep insights into Siddha medicines, he said, "If they are collected and digitalised and printed, they will benefit future generations."

"Increasingly, mankind is turning to indigenous system of medicines, which are holistic and which not only treat the disease but also prevent it," he said, adding that their side effects were limited or even non-existent.

The increasing popularity of holistic systems of medicine in developed countries testified to their efficacy in dealing with the complex health disorders of the modern world.

The country had a treasure house of knowledge in the Siddha system of medicine, he said, stressing the need for contextualising it. The specialists in microbiology, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology and biotechnology could provide valuable support to take holistic medicine forward.

Referring to the progress made by Tamil Nadu in the direction of mainstreaming of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani at the primary health care level, he said it should be tried in the National Rural Health Mission.

Thanks Jayalalithaa

Dr. Singh thanked Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for her support to the NIS project, whose completion ahead of schedule testified to the wholehearted and constructive cooperation between the Central and State Governments.

"The inauguration of this institute is a landmark in our quest for better health care. I do hope it will break new ground by integrating traditional wisdom with modern science and technology that can help popularise the Siddha system of medicine in India and abroad," he said.

Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said the inauguration of the NIS marked the fulfilling of one of the commitments of the United Progressive Alliance Government in promoting a cost-effective health care system.

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