Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, today felicitated scientists of the Anvesana Reserach Facility of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (S-Vyasa) University for their trail blazing attempts at documentation and protocol development in treatment of complicated diseases with Yoga and holistic medicine. Speaking at the inauguration of five new laboratories (molecular biosciences, psycho physiology, cognitive neurosciences, polysonography and bioenergy), the Union Minister recognized the valuable efforts made by the institution to link modern, laboratory methods to the rich yoga therapy techniques bequeathed to us over millennia. “This premier national institute will one day develop into a world class centre. The fruits of its research would be integrated into AYUSH programme of the National Health Mission,” Dr Harsh Vardhan said.
The Minister said Yoga’s benefits in combating non-communicable diseases is a fact of life. “This is the time for out-of-the box solutions to India’s health care problems and institutions like S-Vyasa will be at the forefront,” he stressed. Dr H.R. Nagendra, the founder of S-Vyasa, Mr Siva Sailam N., Karnataka Health Secretary, Mr Vijay Kumar Gogoi, Director of AYUSH in the Karnataka Health Department, Mr Anurag Bagaria, Managing Director of Kemwell Ltd. and Dr Satish Chandra, Director, NIMHANS, were present on the occasion. The Minister recalled the prophesy of Swami Vivekananda who had prophesised a great leap forward for science once the traditions of ancient Indian sciences, including Yoga, are set in the western, contemporary format through technology and documentation.
“I am a man of western medicine, but have experienced the bountiful benefits of the therapeutic benefits of Yoga. It is time we packaged Yoga for the new generation with solid laboratory-based evidences,” he remarked. Dr Harsh Vardhan, who ended a two-day tour of Karnataka today, said “Karnakata has better-than-national-average health indicators and after my visit here I am convinced that the medical community and health administrators are not resting on their laurels. Their professionalism and commitment to excellence serves as a ray of hope for the entire country.”
The Minister also announced that AYUSH medicos and all paramedic and auxiliary workers in the country’s health sector are set to have a larger role in the National Health Mission which is under revamp. “I know the grievances of these highly valuable resources and would like to resolve their problems permanently”, he said.
After arriving on Friday night, the Minister inspected the facilities for screening international tourists for Ebola at Kempegowda International Airport. On Saturday he spent the morning at National Institute for Mental Health and Neurological Sciences (NIMHANS) and on the same afternoon he held meetings with state health officials, representatives of NGOs and health workers at Vikas Soudha. The Minister assured the state government of the following central projects in the short to medium term:
*Completion of upgrading of three medical colleges in Bangalore, Bellary and Hubli.
*Speedy Detailed Project Report on AIIMS project following Karnataka government’s recommendation of three project sites.
*Assistance to state government to set up “One stop crisis centres” in hospitals to give prompt treatment and legal assistance to victims of sexual abuse.”
*Central cooperation for all pending health sector projects in state.
*Assurance to AYUSH doctors and paramedics/auxiliaries of central attention of greater role in the National Health Mission.
Dr Harsh Vardhan held detailed talks with the state’s Health Minister, Mr U. T. Khader, Minister for Health Education, Dr S.P. Patil, and Health Secretary, Mr Siva Sailam N. He praised the state government for keeping health outside the purview of politics. “In keeping with the Independence Day message of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi we ministers are all servants of the people. Our political differences should not come in the way of our professional duties,” the Minister said. He said that in recent weeks he has toured several states and established close working relationships with their governments. “The health ministers of Bihar, Odisha, Uttarakhand and now Karnataka have become my close friends. Our personal ties will reflect in better health governance”, he added.