Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)
Mangaluru, Nov 22: A two-day AYUSH (ayurveda, yoga, unani, sidda and homeopathy) festival will be held at Dr Shivaram Karanth Pilikula Nisargadhama on December 19 and 20. This was revealed by health minister U T Khader at a press meet held here at circuit house on Sunday, November 22.
Addressing the media Khader said "Despite its popularity, AYUSH is yet to reach many people as an alternative to conventional medicine or as complementing it. These programmes are meant to make the public aware of the benefits of AYUSH, as a health maintaining and immunity developing system.There will be different activities including conferences, exhibition of medicinal plants and medicines, food festival and the like. There will be a mass yoga session also."
Logo of AYUSH festival was launched by the health minister U T Khader.
Dr Ashajyothi Rai, president of AYUSH foundation said "AYUSH festival is a joint effort from Dakshina kannada District Administration, Department of AYUSH, AYUSH Institutes of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, various AYUSH organizations, AYUSH practitioners and AYUSH companies of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, being organized exclusively for the benefit of general public.AYUSH Products such as Medicines, Cosmetics, Equipments and Publications will be showcased and sold at discounted price at the stalls."
"The potential curative aspects of AYUSH medicine and the scope of services will be highlighted. The flavours of the magic of Ayurvedic rejuvenation therapy play a prominent role in popularizing AYUSH.The medicinal plants Expo is organised to give importance to the medicinal plant conservation and promotional activities. This platform will showcase various activities that are relevant to cultivation, conservation and popularization of Medicinal Plants. Food and dietary habits being the essence of AYUSH, the food expo will have different types of food advisable according to the constitution of persons, seasonal foods, special foods for preventing diseases, health promoting foods, AYUSH diets etc. The traditional Dakshina Kannada cuisine and live demonstration of their preparation will make the stalls more lively and interesting." Dr Ashajyothi added.
"AYUSH quiz competition will be conducted to the high school students of DK and Udupi. In the last round about 150 students will be selected and given the first, second and third cash prizes respectively. AYUSH Institutions will host a variety of entertainment programmes in thid two days festival. We are expecting about 50,000 foot fall in this two days event." Dr Ashajyothi concluded.
On being asked by the media persons about IMA's demand priscribtion of alopathic medicines by AYUSH doctors, Khader said "In some cases it becomes an obligation to give medicine, say in rural areas. If the patient comes with heavy fewer they cannot say no. At that time AYUSH medicines will not help to bring dowm the fever immediately. But where AYUSH doctors are found using syringe, conducting operations action will be taken on them as per the law."
Replying on the high charges levied by private hospitals on patients. He said "We have already directed all the private hospitals to display rate card and publicize it. Action will be taken against hospitals which do not follow this."
Regarding shortage of doctors he said "Recruiting of doctors under KPSC is under progress. We had notified 381 MBBS doctors and 83 dental doctors and we have got huge response. The vacant posts will filled at the earliest. From the past 10 years recruitments were not done. All posts will be filled. 50 bed AYUSH block will be set up in Mangaluru and Gadag."