The Hindu

Udupi, Dec 30: Pro-Chancellor of Manipal University H.S. Ballal said on Monday that the university was thinking of introducing courses in alternative medicines such as Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy.

He was speaking after inaugurating the two-day national workshop “Ayurvision – 2008” focussing on “Recent advances in Amavata” (rheumatologic diseases), organised by the Kasturba Medical College and Hospital here.

Prof. Ballal said that Manipal University was yet to get approval from the regulatory body to start courses in alternative medicines.

Ayurveda had bright prospects. The biggest factor that favours Ayurvedic medicines was that they did not have toxic effects. “But, a lot of work needs to be done to bring in standardisation of Ayurvedic medicines,” he said.

Some herbs were being used in Allopathic medicines also. Ayurveda was popular in the western countries and a lot of research on it was being done there. The Manipal Life Science Centre, a constituent of Manipal University, had entered into an agreement with the Himalaya Drug Company. “The varsity wants to develop Ayurvedic medicines on scientific basis,” he said.

Associate dean of Kasturba Medical College Shakuntala Pai welcomed the gathering. Dean of KMC-International Centre Poornima Baliga, Head of the Department of Ayurveda M.S. Kamath, and organising secretary of the conference Basavaraj were present.