Union Minister of State for AYUSH, Shripad Yesso Naik inaugurated the off-campus accommodation for the Government Ayurvedic Medical College (GAMC), Jammu in the premises of Government Ayurvedic hospital here today.Constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 32 lakh, the 2-storey building comprises three lecture halls, administrative block, Principal’s Office, Library and other allied accommodation for the smooth functioning of GAMS off-campus. The Government Ayurvedic Medical College which was sanctioned by the Government of India in the year 2017 and started its functioning from the Government Ayurvedic hospital, Jammu as the building of the GAMS is under construction at Akhnoor.Union Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Jatinder Singh, Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat, Minister of State for Health & Medical Education, Asiea Naqash, MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, legislators, Rajesh Gupta, Dr. Krishan Lal Bhagat, Ramesh Arora, Principal Secretary Health & Medical Education, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Union Joint Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, Roshan Jaggi, Principal GMC and GAMC, Dr. Sunanda Raina were also present on the occasion.Addressing a jam-packed audience in the Auditorium of GMC after the inaugural ceremony, the Union Minister said that Government of India is committed to promote AYUSH sector in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that the State is blessed by the rich herbal potential and every effort will be made to make its best use for the patient care. He said the Government of India will consider all proposals of the State Government with regard to the promotion of AYUSH Sector with all sincerity and clear the same on priority.
Maintaining that AYUSH sector has witnessed tremendous growth in the country during the past over four years under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and its importance can be gauged with the creation of independent AYUSH Ministry and getting world-wide recognition of Yoga. It’s all due to the relentless efforts of Prime Minister that the AYUSH has got its due place in the country and large numbers of people are adopting the age old traditional healthcare system in the country as all components of AYUSH are free from any kind of side effects, said Mr. Naik.Responding to the demand projected by Bali Bhagat for establishing a National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) in Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Minister said that Government of India will explore all possibilities to set up this prestigious institution in this Himalayan region for the benefits of lakhs of people, especially the researchers. He also called for completing necessary formalities including acquisition of land for two 50-bedded sanctioned Ayurvedic hospitals at Kishtwar and Kupwara so that the funds are released at the earliest. He also urged for early completion of Ayurvedic Medical College & Hospital building at Akhnoor so that the off-campus is shifted there as early as possible.Dr. Jatinder Singh congratulated the people of Jammu for getting the gift of Ayurvedic College and said that it was a long pending demand of this region which has been met by the Central Government headed by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. He said Jammu and Kashmir has huge herbal medicinal potential and Central Government will tap it appropriately. He appreciated the efforts of State Health Minister, Bali Bhagat for bringing the health sector on track. He said the Government of India will take more effective steps to upgrade the health sector with special emphasis on AYUSH sector. He said the Prime Minister, Narender Modi is very keen to promote the AYUSH sector across the country as this century old traditional medicare system is trusted and affordable for all and without any side effect.
Bali Bhagat thanked the Union MoS AYUSH for his personal intervention in sanctioning the Government Ayurvedic Medical College for Jammu and said that it will give further impetus to the AYUSH sector in Jammu and Kashmir. He said it’s a matter of pride for the Jammuties to have the facility of Ayurvedic College as hundreds of students used to move outside the State for pursuing BAMS courses and now they have got the facility at their doorstep.He castigated the previous regimes for ignoring this most genuine demand of Ayurvedic College for Jammu which existed in sixties and suddenly closed down by the then regime in 1979 without assigning any valid regions. Anyway, now the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and with the help of MoS AYUSH the lost honour has been restored to the State for which the people are grateful for the gesture, said Mr Bhagat. He put forth the demands for establishing a National Institute of Ayurveda, Herbal Industry, 100-bedded Ayurvedic & Naturopathy at Jammu to meet the enhanced rush of patients in AYUSH sector. He also listed the achievements in health sector and initiatives to upgrade the AYUSH across the State.Ms. Asiea stressed the need for strengthening the AYUSH Sector and early completion of Unani Medical College at Ganderbal. She said AYUSH has become popular in the State for the past some decades and people are attracting towards this traditional system. She thanked the Union Minister for extending appropriate support to improve this sector.Jugal Kishore Sharma, Pawan Kotwal, Roshan Jaggi also addressed the gathering.The para-medic students presented colorful cultural programme on the occasion.The Health Minister also gave mementoes to the guests.Prominent among those present on the occasion included, Commissioner Food Safety, J&K, Dr Abdul Kabir Dar, Director ISM, Neeraj Kumar and large number of faculty members of GMC and GAMC, doctors and para-medics.