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If not backed by right forces, it's quite a challenge to make Integrative Medicine, a popular practice in India.

 

-         Review and excerpts from few opinions on Integrative Medicine. 
By Roopa Lakshmi (h.c), Founder & MD, WELLBEEING, Integrated Health Centre, Bangalore

If the main stream medicine and doctors practicing conventional system of medicine accept and embrace the best of AYUSH practices, Integrative Medicine can set new standards and can start gaining global stand. Good research back up, pharmaceutical company support with quality herbal / Ayurveda products, innovative approach and evidence based model and government’s support, the synergy of all these can boost Integrative Medicine benefits to many unresolved management of NCDs.

Indian traditional medical systems like Ayurveda, Naturopathy, etc. is not as popular as the Chinese Traditional Medicine which is accepted in many countries. The two critical inputs made this possible for Chinese medicine to become popular– first, an aggressive national & international campaigns and investments to promote and popularize Chinese traditional medicine and second, targeted investments in establishing the efficacy of the medicines. 


India is now abound with hundreds of ‘traditional’, ‘Ayurveda’ and ‘herbal’ products available freely in the market. Absence of strong national and state level policies on differentiating regulating formulations, and lack of quality control and efficacy tests of these products may reduce our ability to promote integrative health care globally. 

We we have great potential to take a leadership role in the global market, when the West is surging ahead with strong support of private institutes and government sectors, to promote Integrative and Functional Medicine.

Out of many suggestions from experts perusing in this field for many years, the three concrete actions given by Dr Balakrishna Pisupati, Vice- Chancellor of the Transdisciplinary University (TDU), Bengaluru for India to gain from the boom and position itself as a leader in integrated health care: First, there should be better delivery of regulatory mechanisms, especially the governance of the mechanism and building capacities on quality control. In the absence of this, hundreds of formulations are being pushed into the market causing serious damage to the reputation of Indian traditional medicine. 

Second, the Ministry of AYUSH should re-position itself as a Ministry to promote and support traditional medical practice not by providing 3 to 4 year research grants with projects that do not add up to any impact. Rather, it should establish Centers of Excellence to undertake research (that is time bound and result oriented), quality control and assessments (that is based on set standards) and mainstream traditional medical practice into modern medicine as well.

Third, ensure investments to get the business model of traditional drugs correct in supporting production and marketing of the medicines. This way, India can position itself as a lead in supporting integrated health care. If India can get global recognition to traditional practice such as Yoga, why not work towards securing a similar recognition to our Integrative medicine by regularizing many traditional medical practices?

In my opinion, the modern doctors and main stream industry / IMA if opens up for better outcomes of treatment of NCDs, and strengthen the regulations of traditional medicine in India, backed by private institutes, Government and Investors, India could make a mark in the global map for right scientific approaches of Integrative Medicine. This needs like minded people coming together, get good support

The traditional knowledge of Ayurveda is weakening in the country due to lack of support by these sectors. Professionals and Practioners have lack of support to develop in their areas of research or practice. The main stream institutes are absorbing these professionals for various positions due to low cost. Many practioners who believe in Integrative medicine practice mixopathy (a single medical doctor practicing more than one system).

Health and Wellness practice needs to be redefined. This needs to be noticed and actioned. 

Ref: Unlike Indian traditional medical system, the Chinese traditional medicine is accepted in many countries. ETHealthWorld  |  Updated: May 22, 2017, 11:54 IST

 


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