Working Group recommends 12 times hike in allocation for Ayush during 12th Plan

Tuesday, November 29, 2011, 08:00 Hrs  [IST]

The Working Group on Ayush set up by the Planning Commission has recommended a 12-fold increase in the allocation for the Department under the next Five Year Plan. Against Rs.3988 crore of the 11th Plan, it has suggested Rs.47,535.55 crore, including transfer of Rs.10,000 crore from National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) flexipool for implementation.

The ongoing schemes of 11th Plan comprise of eleven Central Sector Schemes with allocation of Rs.2053 crore and three Centrally Sponsored Schemes with allocation of Rs.1935 crore. The total allocation amounted to Rs.3988 crore. The 38th Report of the Public Accounts Committee (2006-07) has seriously pointed out that the share of Ayush in the total health plan at the central level has been only 2 per cent in spite of the policy pronouncement of raising Ayush share to 10 per cent with designated growth of 5 per cent in every Five-Year Plan. Inadequate allocation for Ayush has been considered by PAC the main reason for not achieving the set targets, the working group said.

“Accordingly, the 12th Plan allocation for Central and Centrally Sponsored Schemes is proposed to be enhanced almost by 7 times and 17 times respectively, including the transfer of Rs.10000 crore from NRHM Flexipool. This has led to total projected allocation of Rs.47535.55 crore (about 12 time-hike from 11th Plan allocation) to pave for effective implementation of projects in strategic thrust areas identified above and to step up the process of mainstreaming of Ayush,” the report said.

Necessary updating and revision of the norms, without making any structural change or change in the funding pattern of the schemes, will be done to ensure that the objectives of the schemes are adequately met, project proposals in targeted thrust areas are properly funded and the outcomes happen to be of long term value for the Ayush sector, it said.

The ongoing six schemes under Central Sector Schemes are strengthening of Department of Ayush, statutory institutions, hospitals and dispensaries, strengthening of Pharmacopoeial Laboratories, IEC and Ayush & Public Health function under the head of “System Strengthening”. In the 12th Plan, a provision of Rs.1409 crore has been proposed against the 11th Plan outlay of Rs.282.75 crore.

A key component of the allocation is augmenting pharmacopoeia work to develop 1000 monographs and strengthening Pharmacopoeia Commission & associated laboratories to accelerate the work of standardization and quality parameters of ASU drugs as per global requirements and acceptability.

Another component is providing support to build up the initiative of safety monitoring of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani drugs under the pharmacovigilance system, which was introduced in the country during the 11th Plan period, by designating one National Pharmacovigilance Resource Centre, 8 regional centres and 30 peripheral centres to develop the culture of reporting adverse drug reactions of ASU drugs (Rs.15 crore).

    

Uniform Treatment Protocol in Siddha Medicine Pharmabiz News

CTMR develops uniform treatment protocol to manage type-2 diabetes

A uniform treatment protocol backed by 59 practising Siddha physicians and NGOs across Tamil Nadu was put forward by the Chennai-based Centre for Traditional Medicines and Research (CTMR) for managing type-2 diabetes. The protocol was declared in a seminar of Siddha doctors on the world diabetes day in Chennai by CTMR. According to the organisation, the protocol is to be accepted and followed by all Siddha practitioners in India in order to develop a common code of function for diabetes treatment, and rules to regulate it. Due to lack of an established pattern for applying Siddha treatment methods on patients at different places, the stakeholders are losing so many advantages and the system is ignored on several occasions, opined doctors assembled in the seminar. The secretary of CTMR, Dr T Thirunarayanan while releasing the protocol norms said because of a common protocol the system is ignored even by Life Insurance Corporation of India for medical insurance purpose. It is well documented and has a proven track record, but lacks recognition like that of the foreign healing system. The new protocol will help bring new vistas of recognition for the ancient Indian system, he said. “The general opinion among Siddha physicians was that the management of disease would vary from patient to patient based on their ‘prakruti’ (physical nature). With the anti-diabetic property of many herbal drugs, it has been established that the choice of drug could also vary and uniform treatment method pose a challenge. This uniform protocol is a way out for all concerns,” said Dr Thirunarayanan while declaring the protocol. He said Siddha medicine is not merely drug based, but has a comprehensive approach to the management of disease, which covers daily and seasonal regimen, cleansing therapy, diet, exercise, drug, yoga, pranayaama and meditation, and these methods have been included into the treatment model. The research institute has carried out consultative meetings to evolve the uniform treatment protocol involving Siddha physicians working in primary health centres, district and taluka government hospitals, teaching institutes and private practitioners. Based on literary evidence from classical texts, scientific research journals, clinical experiences of various doctors in treating diabetes and its complications such as neuritis, retinopathy, renal impairment and diabetes ulcers, the final concept of treatment protocol was evolved, Dr Thirunarayanan said.

Preserve and decipher Palm manuscripts

மத்திய சித்த மருத்துவ ஆராய்ச்சி நிறுவனம் நவம்பர் ௧௪  (14) முதல்   ௧௬(16) வரை மூன்று நாட்கள்  சுவடியியலைப் பற்றிய  பயிலரங்கம்  நடத்தியது. இப்பயிலரங்கத்தில் பாரம்பரிய மருத்துவ ஆய்வு மையத்தின் சுவடியியல் வல்லுநர் வித்வான்.சீனிவாசன் அவர்கள் சுவடிகளில் எழு தப்பட்டுள்ள எழுத்து வடிவங்களை இன்றைய தமிழில் எழுதுவது குறித்து விளக்கி மருத்துவச் சுவடிகளை உடனடியாக படியெடுத்து, பொழிப்புரை கொடுத்து  பதிப்பிக்க வேண்டிய அவசியத்தை எடுத்துரைத்தார். Dr. ராஜ் குமார் இம்மூன்று நாள் பயிலரங்கிலும்  பங்கேற்று, இறுதி நாளில் சுவடிகளை  சேகரிப்பது, செம்மை ப்படுத்துவது, மின்னகல்  செய்வது, பராமரிப்பது ஆகியவற்றில் ஏற்படும் நடைமுறைச்சிக்கல்களை தமது அனுபவத்தின் அடிப்படையில் எடுத்து உரைத்தார்.  மேலும்  சித்த மருத்துவ சுவடிகளை படிக்க, பதிப்பிக்க சித்த மருத்துவர்களுக்கு மொழி புலமையும், சுவடிகளை வாசிக்கும் பயிற்சியும் அவசியம் எனவும் வலியுறுத்தினார்.  பாரம்பரிய மருத்துவ ஆய்வு மையம இப்பணியினை மேற்கொள்ள தயார் எனவும் தெரிவித்தார்.பயிலரங்கை செவ்வனேமேற்கொண்ட Dr.சத்தியராஜேஸ்வரன்     மற்றும் Dr. மீனாக்ஷி சுந்தர மூர்த்தி நன்றிக்குரியவர்கள்.   

Back to nature – Not Just food, Medical system also

Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems (CIKS), Chennai an NGO with a strong belief  that  the future lies in understanding and harnessing the potential of indigenous knowledge systems and integrating them into the mainstream of scientific, industrial and everyday thinking. This belief is in synergy with the thinking of Centre for Traditional Medicine and Research (CTMR) particularly in delivering affordable healthcare through Indian Traditional Medicine Siddha and Ayurveda. Both Organizations believe that harnessing the full potential of the traditional knowledge only will help build a strong and self-reliant society. It was no surprise that when Mr. A.V.Balasubramanian, Director CIKS proposed working together in the area of health, Traditional and Organic food, Sustainable development using natural biological resources available in their project districts of Ramanadapuram, Thiruvanamalai and Dindigul, CTMR was too happy to accept the proposal.

Following the Chukkankollai farm visit and training on ‘Health through Herbs’ by CTMR team Mr.K.Subramanian, Project Director CIKS organized two training programmes for the organic farmers of Ramanad district at Kamudi on 15^th Nov, and at Kanivadi on 16^th Nov for farmers of Dindigul district.

The trip to kamudi from Madurai is along the river and since being the north east monsoon the ever dry riverbed had some water flow. Being the peak agricultural season the farmers suggested the programme commence around 10.30 a.m so that they can do some farming activity before they assemble for the training. The farmers are growing sesame, ground nut, chilies organically in their farms and vegetables organically in their homes for self use. Since this is the third year of the window period of conversion to organic status, certification will be received after the current crop. On interaction they expressed their happiness in growing traditional varieties organically and mentioned that not only their cost of cultivation come down and since they are registered seed producers they get a better price for seeds (Rs 42 against Rs 29 for conventional sesame seeds). The coordinator Mr.Marimuthu warned that there will be power cut at 2.00 PM it is advisable to finish the training where use of LCD projector is warranted. Therefore it was a continuous session of 3½ hours.

 I was unsure if I will be able to hold the attention of the farmers for such a long spell covering areas like Basic principles of Indian Traditional medicine, Regimens of healthy living, Management of common ailments with locally available resources, Identification and utilization of locally available biological resources, Scope of developing Home herbal garden and Techno-commercial  feasibility of sustainable collection and growing of medicinal plants as hedge crop, intercrop, tree species along the bunds etc., The session was very interactive with the farmers chipping in with questions and at times sharing the known regional use of some of the medicinal plants. What was more attractive was that the training took place in a typical rural set up and under a thatched roof and everyone sitting on the floor for almost 4 hours with folded legs. The common ailment for which individuals consulted me after the session was common cold, Bronchial asthma and arthritis. Almost everyone recorded notes and the courtesy extended was too good to forget. A very satisfying day.

                   The Notes on Kanivadi will follow in the next blog.

                                                                                        T.Thirunarayanan

   

World Diabetes Day -2011 at CTMR

Dr.R.Padmapriya last year took part in a panel discussion which explored approaches of different systems of medicine. This year she proposed to hold the event at out Puzhuthiwakkam centre itself. 14^th Nov being a Monday, the first working day of the week, the team decided to have the Awareness Programme on 13^th Nov.2011- Sunday. The format of the event was discussed. The structure emerged like a Free medical consultation, and distribution of a well researched siddha medicine, Awareness lecture, Interactive question answer session, A medicinal Plants exhibition and display of organically grown food alternatives primarily minor millets.

Dr. Rajkumar took up the responsibility of designing invitation, banners and communication to various neighborhood newspaper. Dr.T.Thirunarayanan and Vd.S.Usman Ali designed a 16 page booklet on Managing diabetes and living healthy in Tamil. Two Tamil fonts were used and final booklet was ready only the day before. Mr. Adikeswan collected fresh organic herbal material and made the Madhumega churanam under the supervision of Dr. S.Rajkumar.

The Banners were displayed near Railway station and Temples like Nanganallur Anjaneyar temple and Bhuvaneswari temple with high visibility.

Mrs. V.Sundaravalli took charge of the medicinal plants in pot for exhibition and Dr.Sangeetha prepared the signboards for each of them with botanical and Tamil names. Ms.Sumathy of reStore – an Organic food store run by volunteers passionate about organic food and health living arranged for the display along with hand bills.

The individual counselling session on food and exercise was handled by  Dr.Sangeetha. The awareness lecture was delivered by Dr.T.Thirunarayanan with almost 25 years experience in designing a diabetes treatment protocol including a novel drug with plants . It was in the narrative form with interaction from participants

Forty persons consulted the doctors and what was more heartening is the participation of family members of diabetes who wanted to know about the food choices, bursting stress through yoga and meditation, healthy lifestyle as recommended by Siddha science and the questions about fruits to be consumed, vegetables which are to be restricted, oil to be used in cooking, the frequency of use and type of non-vegetarian food. Exercise, duration, type were all discussed.

In spite of high decibel publicity by Multi-nationals Pfizer and Corporate Diabetes hospital with large media support, the number of participants in a neighbor hood event was significant. By way of dissemination through the social network, one associate from Salem. Vasita Siddha Yoga centre conducted an awareness programme in Salem and Dr. Hariharan is organizing one in Sencottai with support of Rotary Club of Coutrallam of which Dr.T.Appranandam of  Siddha Health Foundation is incharge of social services. More events to highlight the cost effective holistic approach of Siddha and Ayurveda in management of Non Communicable lifestyle disorders is needed. This will greatly reduce the cost burden of managing lifestyle disorders.

One Key learning from the event is - Like Cost effective affordable treatment through Siddha, Educative awareness programmes could also be conducted at very low budget.

World Diabetes Day

Training at CIKS organic Farm, Chukkankollai

CTMR organized a one day training programme for the Field staff of the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems, a well known Voluntary organization working with farmers on preserving native varieties of Paddy, Other Grains, Vegetables and also promoting research in Organic farming. The Small Group of Staff from Sirkazhi, Cukkan kollai, Chengalpattu and Chendurai in Dindigul took part.

The Session started with a presentation on locally available biological resource particularly medicinal plants and its utility by Vd.S.Usman Ali- Director CTMR. He explained the use of 35 species of medicinal plants which are common throughout Tamilnadu and have great value. As he explained the trainees felt, that they have missed out on using these plants for such a wide spectrum of conditions. Dr.S.Rajkumar explained the need to follow the daily regimen and seasonal regimen mentioned in Indian Traditional Health Sciences and said most of the suggestions are simple to practice. He further elaborated on the most common ailments that afflicts rural households and suggested simple remedies that could be prepared at home if the common plants suggested by Vd.S.Usman Ali were grown as Home herbal gardens.

This session was followed by a field visit to the plots in which 100 varieties of Paddy or Grown and Mr.K.Subramanian and Mr.Pandeeswaran of CIKS explained the key features of each of them. It was an awesome experience. After a delicious lunch with organically grown ingredients- Grains, vegetables, spices the afternoon session was on Managing Lifestyle disorders the traditional way- primarily Siddha approach and how the Volunteers should take it forward to the Farming community. Dr.T.Thirunarayanan, the speaker suggested that to promote these lifestyle interventions one need not be a physician.

Mrs. Sundaravalli listed out recipes that could help overcome diseases like allergy, Anemia,Asthma, Osteoarthritis, Obesity, renal stones etc.

Then there was an very interesting interactive session and a list of Medicinal plants for Home Herbal Garden was drawn along with a list of Plants that would be collected from the neighbourhood. Mr.Pandeeswaran assured to develop nursery of the 18 Species suggested to be distributed to farmers and Mr. K.Subramanian suggested taking this forward to the Community in Jawadhu hills and Natham region.

Ms.Parimala did a good facilitation for the training programme.

Invitation for 'Awarding of Certificates to Traditional Health Practitioners

The Event Starts at 9.30.A.M
Request confirmation of Participation to 04422600440/22533399

Lecture on Suvadigal at CTMR

Vijayadasami- The last day of dauserra is considered an auspicious day for commencing new learning and day of showing respects to Guru. CTMR has been celebrating this day every year as a get to gather of all well wishers of CTMR activities  and for planning new activity for the following year. Every year an lecture/workshop is organized on some topics of importance to Traditional Medicine. This year lecture is on Siddha Palm manuscripts by  Pandit. Tanjavur N. Srinivasan, an expert in palm manuscripts and Harikatha  at 3.PM on 6th Oct, 2011 at the Library Hall of CTMR 24, Anna Nagar Main Road, Puzhuthiwakkam, Chennai- 91. Pandit N.Srinivasan has  rich experience in U.Ve. Saa library and Sarawati Mahal Library of  Tanjavur and he has also contributed for creation of  catalogue of Palm manuscripts in Siddha Central Research Institute and other Mutt libraries and Private Collections.

CTMR Invites all for the event. Please confirm participation by mail to ttn64@sify.com or call/sms to Dr.T.Thirunarayanan 9444018158

Tamil Nadu to launch IGNOU's 'Grama Vaidya' certification to traditional healers

Pharmabiz News

Peethaambaran Kunnathoor, Chennai
Monday, September 19, 2011, 08:00 Hrs  [IST]

Tamil Nadu will soon become the first state in the country to launch the national scheme to be implemented by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) for Accreditation and Certification of Prior Learning (ACPL) of the country’s traditional health practitioners. The University will honour the traditional healers with an award, ‘Grama Vaidya’.

ACPL is a scheme to certify and award the country’s genuine traditional healers who have been practising traditional system for years in the villages applying indigenous method supported by herbal drugs. The age old practitioners in the families who were trained by their ancestors and continue with the traditional knowledge of practice now are targeted for honouring the award ‘Grama Vaidya’. University is planning to introduce the project as a pilot study in 8 states in India including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Orissa, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.

The project takes its course for the first time in Tamil Nadu and the Chennai based Centre for Traditional Medicines and Research (CTMR) has been identified as the coordinator for implementing the scheme in the state.

While briefing about the programme, Dr T Thirunarayanan, the Secretary of CTMR, said initially the scheme is implemented in Vellore district and multi-stakeholders consultative meeting was held in Chennai recently to discuss the subject of Minimum Standards of Competency (MSC) to be developed for implementation of the IGNOU scheme. He said advertisements have been given in vernacular news papers in the district inviting applications from traditional healers to select for the award. Out of the 50 applications the Centre received, 23 have been rejected due to bogus claims and mismatch between age and experience. Functional literacy and 10 years experience are the minimum qualifications required for the selection of the award, he said.

The University introduces the ACPL programme with a well planned scheme, for that it entered into an agreement with Quality Council of India (QCI) and Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions (FRLTH). The scheme of the IGNOU is financed by the Department of Ayush.

Dr Thirunarayanan said the standards to test the traditional treatment methods of the healers will be set by FRLTH and QCI will prepare the parameters required for recognition. CTMR will give training to develop minimum standards and a five member special medical team consisting institutionally trained physicians will assess the standards of the applicants through several methods including oral tests. The healers will have to demonstrate their practical skills before the panel.

The ACPL will include five traditional methods of treatment like jaundice treatment, performing midwifery, fixing bone fractures, treating skin diseases and snake bites.

According to CTMR this combined effort of IGNOU and Ayush department may be considered as an official recognition for the services rendered by traditional health practitioners in rural areas, and so far there is no national or state programme to include them into the ambit of community health workers.

When asked whether the qualified and registered ISM practitioners will object the ACPL awards by IGNOU as the scheme is likely to block their opportunities in the rural areas, Dr Thirunarayanan responded that there was shortage of qualified ISM doctors in the state to fulfill the needs of the villagers.

    

Certification of Traditional Healers in Vellore district under scheme for Accreditation and Certification of Prior Learning

Village based Traditional Health Practitioners play a vital role in meeting the health care needs of especially rural populations in India. Presently, they provide health services for deliveries, bone fractures, dislocations and sprains, common ailments with herbal remedies, poisonous bites, jaundice, skin diseases, burns and so on, solely based on their social legitimacy. As of now, while there is a clear AYUSH Policy statement of Government of India (2002) which provides official recognition to the existence of Traditional Health Practitioners, there is no national or state programme that involves them in the role of Community Health Workers. This neglect inhibits the continuity of the great tradition of village based healers of our country.

In order to accredit and certify the genuine Traditional Health Practitioners, a national level pilot Scheme for Accreditation and Certification of Prior Learning (ACPL) of Grama Vaidyas is being launched by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in 8 selected states of India namely: Arunachal Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Orissa, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. In Tamilnadu Vellore district is choosen for the project.

The above mentioned ACPL scheme is financially supported by the Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. It is being initially implemented in selected streams of folk healing like mid wifery, bone setting, management of primary healthcare conditions with herbal remedies, etc in collaboration with Quality Council of India, New Delhi, Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine (IAIM), Bangalore and reputed Nodal AYUSH Institutions and NGOs in the selected states and districts. Centre for Traditional Medicine and Research , Chennai (CTMR) is the nodal agency for the pilot project in Tamilnadu.

The  Accreditation and Certification scheme does not involve conventional written examination to be taken by the Traditional Health Practitioners. Instead, it would be done through oral interviews and practical demonstrations of their skills. The evaluation panel would consist of reputed and experienced Traditional Health Practitioners from the respective States, AYUSH Physicians and Community Health Activists.

The village based Traditional Health Practitioners having more than 10 years of experience from vellore district and who are interested to obtain Accreditation were informed through press releases, Advertisement and through healers Association.

The applications received in the prescribed format along with necessary certification from Village panchayat and fulfilling the ten years experience criteria will be short listed for further evaluation by the evaluators. The date of evaluation for the first set of healers practicing jaundice healing is fixed for 25th Sept, 2011.

As Self assesment of fulfilling Minimum standards was facilitated by CTMR on 14th Sept.

An Evaluators board has been constituted for the purpose. The reputed and experienced Traditional Health Practitioners for specific areas like Jaundice and AYUSH physicians constitute this board. This board will be different from the collegiums and subject experts team which has finalized a Minimum Standards of Skills Document.

The Board of evaluators will assess the Prior learning skill of the healers by way of interview on the specific date using the Minimum Standards of Skills Document at a common place where the healer would be in a position to demonstrate the clinical skills like identification of the condition and suggest appropriate treatment methods as well as identification of herbs/ country drugs and demonstrate the preparation, administration of medicine. Based on the specific condition which is normally treated in the house of the healer/patient the evaluation will be done at respective site.The Evaluation board will recommend to the collegium the names of healers who fulfill the minimum standards requirement which will be forwarded to CTKS-IGNOU for certification.

There is lot of enthusiasm among healers for the scheme and this will pave way for identifying genuine healers of traditional knowledge.

Is Primary health care possible through Siddha

On an informal discussion a senior Indian Administrative Service officer with firm conviction of the efficacy of Traditional Medicine asked me if it is possible to provide primary healthcare to all residents of a settlement with Indian Traditional Medical systems. Earlier having applied for a project to Dept. of AYUSH under Public Health Initiative scheme to implement Primary Health Care through ISM for migrant workers and displaced community and the project still bending for a long time in spite of being considered as a good initiative, I replied in the affirmative. She mentioned that under corporate Social Responsibility of the Public Sector Finance Organization she heads CTMR will be given a grant towards the cost of medicines and for promoting Home Herbal Garden, but after an year it’s the responsibility of the organization to make the people understand and agree that ISM approach will reduce frequency of illness and reduce health expenditure. CTMR grabbed the opportunity and wrote a proposal and submitted to Tamilnadu Industrial Investment Corporation. The Chairperson Mrs. Sheela Rani chungath invited CTMR to make a small presentation about the project to the Board of Directors of TIIC. The board readily agreed and on 20th August, exactly a year ago the grant was given on the inaugural day of the Siddha Health Centre in Chinnandikuppam a fisherman colony.

Once it was decided to launch such a programme next started a discussion among the volunteers of CTMR on the location. It emerged that the Centre should be in a settlement of a marginalized society not very far from the city so that it could be closely monitored as it is a pilot project on Public health through Siddha. With prior experience in interaction with fisherman community and their secluded lifestyle from mainstream due to their vocation, basically depended on the coast line and odd working hours and the recent losses they suffered in TSUNAMI, it was decided to start in Neelangarai, Vetuvankeni area. The Posh neighborhood of the rich was little frightening, whether we will be able to get a place. Then came the memory of the Place for health centre available with Catalyst trust at Chinnandikuppam. A Telephonic call was made to its chairman and consumer rights activist Mr.Desikan. He readily agreed to provide the place but also cautioned that the Siddha doctor from Kelambakkam PHC was supposed to visit twice a week but it did not materialize. He also said an allopathy doctor visits every day for a short while and the community participation is not very encouraging. The nearest Siddha facility was Govt dispensary at Adayar – 15 kms away or Kelambakkam 22 kms away. For Hospitalization it is 30 kms to National Institute of Siddha or Anna Hospital, Anna Nagar.

We decided to do a survey of the colony on the awareness about Siddha or any other traditional medicine and utility pattern of health care. Dr.Murugesan, Dean of NIS and Dr. M.Meenakshisundaram readily agreed to send their PG students and internees. CTMR physicians along with the 15 carried out a door to door survey and found the awareness level to be 10% and actual utilization at 3%. This worried us more as if this is the situation where two major hospitals and four teaching institutes exists what would be the status in rural Tamilnadu.
We decided to Organize the Inaugural meeting as an awareness meet and Mrs. Sheela Rani in her conventional way made a very impressive passionate speech in a language of the common man connecting with them. There were more men from the community with little participation from women. So we thought women may not avail this facility. But once we run the centre we realized that men were reluctant as they felt Siddha medicines will not go well with non-vegetarian diet and their alcohol consumption. More interactions in informal group discussion were held to dispel the fears and it was explained to them Non-veg in general is not a barrier to Siddha medicine and alcoholism is any way bad irrespective of the system and in fact taking hepatoprotective drugs of Siddha will reduce the burden of alcohol intake for the vital organs.

Then the procurement of medicines. A list of medicines were drawn based on the essential drug list of the Dept. of AYUSH and due consideration was given to select cost effective alternatives so that the project is sustainable. Due care was taken to include herbal medicines and essential herbo-mineral drugs so that adverse drug reactions were minimal. IMPCOPS procedure of providing institutional membership was delayed but their dealer agreed to provide medicines at same cost and promised just in time delivery. It was a different story that IMPCOPs revised the price of certain key drugs like Thiriphala churanam by 40 % and therefore quantum of drugs that could be purchased with the grant came down for the same value.

Our volunteers went home to home to create awareness about the system and the services rendered by the centre. Dr. Priyadarshini and Dr. S. Rajkumar were the regular doctors and Dr. Padmapriya visited initially every friday till Dr. Priyadarshini got complete understanding. Dr. Priyadarshni had to leave after eight months due to personal reasons and Dr. Indhumathi joined the team. I must acknowledge each of them meticulously maintained medical records and in fact Dr. Rajkumar underwent training on software for AYUSH medical record keeping and analysis.
Then we also extended the services to velankadu a village between Thiruporur and Thirukalukundram , a displaced persons belonging to dalit community settlement colony as many of them had no regular job or land holding and a poor health history. This was done every fortnight and an educated person in the village was trained and given a simple kit of siddha medicine for fever, diarrhea, common cold and scorpion sting.

Analyzing the data after one year, All members of the village are now aware of siddha and simple plant remedies. Now they try steam inhalation, fomentation, use of adhatoda decoction made at home fenugreek and asafetida for abdominal spasm. About 90 % have a health card of our centre and for majority of them Siddha Health centre has become the first contact for condition like fever, head ache, common cold, sinusitis, Acid-peptic diseases, diarrhea, muscular sprain, anemia, post-natal care, scabies wounds in children and many other conditions. About 40% have become well after one or two visit while 20 % keep coming for routine check of Blood pressure etc and only 10% have dropped out. Though minimal level of cleansing therapies and external therapies are being carried out in the centre further infrastructure is required. In all now 1100 patients (Absolute number and not number of patient visits) are availing the facility. The Cost of medicine dispensed so far is close to Rs 1,50,000 which works out to Rs 137 ( Rupees One hundred and thirty seven per patient per annum) including conditions like anemeia for which at least a month treatment is required.

Since on every visit the medicines required for treating the episode is given – say for 3 -7 days depending on the condition and for conditions like NIDDM one month medicine is given the patients are not forced to frequent the clinic which prevents loss of absenteeism from their vocation. More so the time of the centre so flexible as the large chunck come to the centre between 12 Noon to 2.30 P.M after completing sale of fish in the market.
Learning’s

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  Siddha could definitely be a solution to fulfill primary health care needs of a community.


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  Cost of Treatment with Siddha is certainly low with judicious choice of drugs combined with proper adoption of dos and don’ts


• 
  
  Maintaining a proper medical record is possible when patients numbers are limited to 30/day per doctor- though during initial period this may be difficult- a volunteer support may be required.


• 
  
  There is a need to make Siddha available in every place which will definitely improve utilization


• 
  
  News about the centre in English newspaper though has created awareness among others but has not helped reach the target population but has generated interest among others to think of supporting such interventions
  


• 
  
  Excepting on Sundays and National holidays this centre was never closed as some other physician was deputed
  CTMR team is grateful Mrs Sheela Rani Chungath for the motivation and TIIC and others for the support. The informal leaders of the community and volunteers who took part in the health survey.
  

Speech delivered by Mr.V.Prabakaran I.F.S during Inaguration of Siddha Health Centre

Sri. P. Arulmudi, Chairman, AMR Trust
Dr. M. Padma Sorna Subramanian,Research officer, Siddha Medicinal Plant Garden, Mettur,
Dr. R. Sudha, Ph.D
Dr.K.Thirumagal, Medical officer, AMR Trust and
Dr.T.Thirunarayanan, Secretary, CTMR, Chennai

Esteemed students and Staff of Saradha Niketan College

This is indeed my privilege to be amongst you on this auspicious occasion (15th August 2011) for Inagurating Siddha Health centre

Siddha System of Medicine also known as Siddha Vaidyam in India is the oldest among the Indian Medical Systems namely Ayurveda, Siddha & Unani. & it is also the oldest medical system in the world. Of late people in the West and also east are turning to nature for their health requirements. Hence the demand for natural health remedies and herbal health remedies are increasing day by day and Indian medical systems like Siddha and Ayurveda are gaining popularity all over the world.

The Siddha System of Medicine is an integrated part of Indian medical System contributing much to the health care of human beings, due to its richness and simplicity. Siddha System, propounded by the Siddhars is a vast and unique system which defines health as a Perfect State of Physical, Psychological, Social and Spiritual Well Being of an individual. Such being the importance of Siddha system of medicine, I am, indeed very happy to be associated in opening of this Siddha clinic at Saradha Niketan College for women at Kanavaipudur.

How many of are in knowledge of a medicinal plants development area or the MPDA, established by Forest Department in lokur forests? It is a real coincidence that I was associated in its establishment and now, I here am, involved in inaugurating this Siddha clinic.

Nearly a decade ago, when Dr. Thirunarayanan, started this Centre for Traditional Medicine & Research (CTMR), as a ‘non- profit organisation, I did not imagine it will grow in its stature to this size. I congratulate him and his team for this achievement.

CTMR, apart from running similar siddha clinics and establishing herbal gardens; is also documenting Traditional Knowledge of healing, digitizing Siddha Palm manuscripts, Conducts training in traditional medicine and Publishes simple books.

I learn that, this Siddha clinic is the result of CTMR’s proposed public health intervention through the Project Siddha.
The project Siddha has the following objectives;

Ø To provide preventive and curative health care to cover a population of about 20000. To make available the safe and effective Siddha drugs
Ø To create awareness about good traditional health practices
Ø To utilize the locally available plant resources for better health care and thereby reduce health expenditure. Money saved is money earned!
Ø To give supportive role to the existing public health delivery system.

I wish them success in their endevour.

I will be failing in my duty, if I do not acknowledge the contributions of Thiru . P. Arulmudi, the founder Chairman of AMR charitable Trust.
Thiru. P. Arulmudi and his family have established this Trust with a noble objective of providing healthcare and education to the under privileged. I take this opportunity to congratulate him and his generous family members.

It is also my duty to inform you all, that AMR trust is providing complete financial support for providing medicine, salary to the Siddha doctor and other medical instruments needed for this Siddha clinic.

This clinic will focus on the healthcare of rural young women – particularly on Nutrition related diseases and Gynecological problems.

In conclusion, I once again congratulate the CTMR and AMR trust for this noble venture for providing a healthy educated mind in a healthy body.
Thank you

Public Health Initiative

AMR Charitable Trust
&
Centre for Traditional Medicine & Research (CTMR)

Cordially invite you to grace the inauguration of

“Siddha Health Centre”
for reaching the unreached”

on 15/8/11 at 11.00 a.m

At
Sri Saradha Niketan College for Women
Kanavaipudur, Omalur Taluk, Salem -636 354

Sri. P. Arulmudi,
Chairman,
AMR Trust
will preside.

Sri. V. Prabhakaran, IFS
Director of Sericulture,
Govt. of Tamilnadu
will inaugurate the Centre

Dr. M. Padma Sorna Subramanian Ph.D
Research officer
Siddha Medicinal Plant Garden, Mettur,
will initiate the Herbal Garden Project

Dr. R. Sudha, Ph.D ,
will deliver the keynote address




Dr.K.Thirumagal Dr.T.Thirunarayanan

9444018158

CTMR hits centaury in Digitization of Siddha Manuscripts.

One hundred bundles of age-old palm manuscripts collected from different healers and institution trained Siddha physicians have been digitized by CTMR. The project supported by Dept. of AYUSH, Govt. of India commenced in April 2011. The process of collection of the palm manuscripts was done with briefing of different healers associations and individual physicians. The information was also spread through Short Messaging Services and blogging apart from mails. The CTMR team also visited various libraries like Oriental library, Chennai, U.Ve. Swaminathan library, Chennai, International Institute of Tamil Studies, Sarawati Mahal Library, Tamil University library, Publication division of Directorate of Indian medicine to understand the process. The Guidelines issued by the National Manuscripts Mission was followed. Various Mutts particularly saivate mutts, which preserve the manuscripts, were also consulted.

Many of the manuscripts recieved by CTMR were in not so good state, have developed fungal spores, order of folios changed with in the bundle, letters were invisible in some. The first task was retrieving them to a good condition by treatment process. Catalogue was prepared by the Manuscript expert Mr.N.Srinivasan. Only Medical manuscripts were digitized, while the rest were cleaned and retrieved. The rest of the collection includes Tantric healing, Mantras, religious texts like Kandha puranam, Yesu kaaviyam and Astrology related manuscripts.
The cleaned manuscripts in which folios are kept in order, numbered along with CDs are being handed over to individual healers. The healers who are not in a position to preserve in their places deposit the same at CTMR library for safe keeping.
The work of further collection continues and those who wish to provide their manuscripts for the digitization work may contact Dr.S.Rakumar- Project coordinator (94450 90723) or Dr.T.Thirunarayanan- Secretary, CTMR (9444018158)

Siddha Consultation at Green covai

On the occasion of the Satabishekam celeberations of Pujya Swamiji. Dayananda saraswati of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam - Green covai a unit of AIM FOR SEVA, a partner NGO of CTMR has organized an exhibition stall at CODESSIA Centre of Coimbatore for three days from 2oth July 2011 to 22nd July 2011.

The stall had the following features

1. Display of over 50 medicinal plants.

2. Publications on the use of medicinal plants -English, Self- help through plants and Kitchen herbal garden.

3. Display of various training activities conducted by CTMR and Green covai at Annaikatti for tribal women, traditional healers, horticultural officers.

4. AMLA health drink developed by CTMR with support of NRDC and other value added products of Green covai like hair oil. aromatic oil etc.

5. The promotion of tree planting linking it to Zodiac signs and Birth Stars- Over 300 saplings of Madhuca longifolia - Plant linked to the Nakshtra of Revathy- birth star of Puja Swamiji. were distributed to persons who took a pledge of maintaining the tree.

6. Dr.T.Thirunarayanan of CTMR was also blessed with the opportunity to provide Traditional medical consultation to over 75 persons from various part of the country during the event.

Pujya swamiji personally visited the stall and blessed every one. Various dignitaries visited the stall and appreciated the Green Covai efforts, Particularly Shri. D. Ramanji - the coordinator of Green covai.

CTMR Hosts Meeting on IGNOU Scheme of Accreditation and Certification of Prior Learning (ACPL) for Traditional healers

CTMR hosts the first consultative meeting for IGNOU Scheme of Accreditation and Certification of Prior Learning (ACPL) on Saturday, the 2nd July 2011 from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm.

Mr. G.Hariramamoorthy of FRLHT is the convener of this meeting.

Agenda for meeting is as below:

1. Brief introduction of the ACPL scheme

2. Minimum Standards of Competency of Grama Vaidyas for ACPL for healing streams namely:
2.1 Jaundice

2.2 Traditional Birth Attendants

2.3 Traditional Bone Setting

2.4 Skin conditions

2.5 Vatham related health conditions

2.6 Common ailments

2.7 Poisonous bites

2.8 Women specific health conditions

2.9 Piles and fistula

2.10 Infertility and Impotency

3. Any other with permission of chair

This meeting is being hosted by Centre for Traditional Medicine & Research at the address below: Centre for Traditional Medicine & Research (CTMR)No. 24, Anna Nagar Main Road,Ganesh Nagar,Puzhuthiwakkam,Chennai- 600091.

SIDDHA VISION 2025 DOCUMENT

SIDDHA VISION -2025
1. Preamble
1.1 The healthcare system of the 21st century should maximize the health and functioning of both individual patients and communities. To accomplish this goal, the system should balance and integrate needs for personal healthcare with broader community-wide initiatives that target the entire population

1.2 Throughout most of the modern era of medicine there has been a lack of integration and, at times, a split between public health and medicine. Public health focuses on health promotion and disease prevention at the level of populations, while medicine focuses on individual care, with an emphasis on the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Ideally these approaches should be seamlessly integrated in practice, education, and research.

1.3 Siddha medicine is primarily based on complete balanced outlook to life through diet, lifestyle and practices that promote harmonious healthy living.

1.4 We as a society collectively take efforts to assure the conditions in which people can be healthy through Siddha Medicine

2. Scope of the Vision document

2.1. This document would include the Policy, Goals and Strategy for delivering safe, efficacious, affordable healthcare through Indian systems of medicine.

2.2. The document covers areas of Health services including treatment protocols, Education, Research, Drug development, cost and access.

2.3 Vision 2025 will include Public, Private organizations, Voluntary organizations, informal groups of Traditional healers, individuals, Researchers, Manufacturing organizations, which are not involved in generation of profit.

3. Objectives

3.1 The specific objectives of the document are listed below:

3.1.1To help build a promotive and preventive healthcare approaches through Traditional wisdom thereby prevent productivity loss of the nation. A healthy and prosperous nation for contributing to the development of the country through Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM).

3.1.2 To create an enabling environment for the growth of Siddha system to cater to the current and future health needs of the state, nation and to the Diasporas.

3.1.3 To strengthen and build physical infrastructures & Human resources

3.1.4 Adopting professional excellence in Indigenous Systems of Medicine (ISM) to achieve the quality of life by contributing to physical, mental, social, economic and spiritual well-being of the public.
3.1.5 To enhance community and society participation in the healthcare process so that local citizens have a voice and can contribute ideas to the healthcare system.
3.1.6 To strengthen research activities to ensure the quality of service and products pertaining to Siddha systems of medicine.

3.1.7 Effort to validate the safety and effectiveness of Siddha medicines using current medical guidelines.

4. Strategies

The following paragraphs describe how these objectives are to be achieved.

4.1 Building a Promotive care approach

4.1.1 The health challenge of the next decade is expected to be the life style disorders, age related disorders in urban, semi urban areas while the communicable diseases like HIV, TB, and Acute Fluid Diarrhoea and Lower Respiratory Infection in children pose a challenge both in urban and rural areas. The strength of Siddha medicine being the promotive health and management of lifestyle disorders, validation of the practices through public health interventional and observational studies needs to be adopted. The research institutes and institutes of higher learning will take up these as higher priority in its projects.

4.1.2 Anti-aging Kayakalpa therapies would be promoted thorough specialized campaign with participation of educational institutions, private sector players and voluntary organizations

4.1.3 Educational steams like Sarva Siksha Abiyan, social studies will include healthy lifestyle habits, yoga, home herbal gardens and promote traditional food habits in children. Traditional systems of medicine should be valued and reinforced in school as “scientific.” When indigenous knowledge is taught alongside material in school curriculum, students respect their indigenous knowledge and tend to utilize and disseminate it later in their lives. There should be active involvement of Siddha physicians in school health programmes.

4.1.4 The role of Siddha in the national health programmes in prevention of anemia, malnutrition and non communicable diseases should be recognized.

4.1.5 Efforts to promote Siddha system as a component of Health tourism using promotional schemes of ‘International Cooperation’ of Dept. of AYUSH.

4.2 Creating ‘Enabling environment for the growth of Siddha system’

4.2.1 The Health policy of both the Central and State Govt. is to encourage ISM as a viable alternate or at times at par with bio-medicine in certain clinical conditions and to guarantee access to traditional medicine. This means to ensure its equitable availability and affordability, with a particular attention to the poorest population. In low-income country like ours, the need of inexpensive and effective treatments for common diseases is very high. Yet one-third, and sometimes even a half of the population of these countries, lack regular access to essential drugs. Traditional medicines are, in comparison, much more available and affordable than allopathic medicine.

4.2.2 With the purpose of increasing the access to traditional medicine, first, reliable indicators to accurately measure levels of access – both financial and geographic – so it must be developed; and, secondly, the safest and most effective therapies must be identified, to provide a sound basis for efforts to promote.

4.2.3 To expand Siddha services to every metro cities and state capitals in the country and every primary health centre in the state. Siddha facilities in urban areas particularly in cities like Madurai, Coimbatore and many suburban areas of Chennai should be enhanced to improve accessibility. To have in-patient facility in every Govt. Hospital.

4.2.4 Provide affordable care to every seeker of traditional medicine. Improve TM use level to at least 30% of population. Develop quality, all inclusive treatment protocols based on ISM genomics with repeatable, reproducible results. The state / central funding for ISM should be increased to 14%. of total health budget.

4.2.5 Recognize the role of Private players and NGO’s and encourage public private partnership (PPP) will be a chance for mutual appreciation and constructive criticism, which otherwise is not possible.

4.2.6 To be included in health insurance cover for select disease conditions like lifestyle disorders and provide key role in Non communicable diseases for Traditional systems of medicine.

4.2.7 It should also be considered that traditional practitioners live at the community level, making traditional medicine extremely available. For this reason, "the role of traditional practitioners should be recognized and cooperation between them and community health-workers should be strengthened.

4.3 To strengthen and build physical infrastructures & Human resources

4.3.1 To have a technical and financial plan to strengthen and build physical infrastructures,
Human resources and to attain a leadership position in managing lifestyle disorders and refractive illness. The objective include strengthening, expanding, restructuring, both government and private health care services to enhance traditional medicines in their health programs.

4.3.2 The educational institutions should be strengthened not just to fulfill the barest minimum standards laid down by Central Council of Indian Medicine but to the level of medical institutes of National repute.

4.3.3 The curriculum at the Undergraduate level should provide a level of confidence for the students to establish general practice in the society from which they come from, as the gap in providing healthcare via bio-medicine continues in rural areas. Students should be given training in the grass root community level and Community Orientation Programme (COP) should be made mandatory.

4.3.4 Post-graduate education should provide an expertise to function as a specialist in the chosen area. The specialization branches should not be merely aping the bio-medicine but identified strength areas of Siddha medicine. The institution and curriculum should be strengthened.

4.3.4 The curriculum is so designed that Siddha doctors should be competent enough to meet the changing global health scenario

4.3.5 Knowledge being the key, continuous upgrading of knowledge by faculties is recommended. All existing textbooks to be updated within a five year period by the vast human resource available in educational and research institutes.

4.3.6 Drug Testing Laboratory should be upgraded in order to test as many samples of drugs being supplied to Govt. Hospitals, at least three batches a year.

4.4 Adopting professional excellence in Indigenous Systems of Medicine (ISM)

4.4.1 The Tamilnadu Siddha Medical Council to be strengthened to play an important role in advisory, investigatory and supervisory areas to monitor legal activities of Siddha system of medicine.

4.4.2 The physicians associations should encourage self-regulation for ethical practice and best quality service to the patients Inducement of patients with tall claims through any media, electronic or print should be regulated by stricter implementation of existing laws and bring in self regulation in advertisement.

4.4.3 The physicians associations should encourage minimum hours of training, participations in workshops, seminar and conferences by its members for knowledge up gradation and skill development in treatment procedures.

4.4.4 Trainings should be open to private practitioners as well. Considering the workload in teaching institutes reputed voluntary organizations and private institutes may be encouraged to conduct such programmes.

4.4.5 Accreditation of hospitals scheme of Dept. of AYUSH should be utilized for improving standards.

4.5 To enhance community and society participation in the healthcare process.

4.5.1 Traditional Medicine is not primarily based on Disease- Drug approach but Do’s and Don’ts for health and disease. Positive lifestyles like Satwik food, Siddha yoga including regulated breathing practice – Vasi yogam, Meditation –Dhyanam plays an important role in prevention of disease and healthy living. Some simple home remedies and health diets are made at home which can significantly reduce health related expenses. All these need community awareness and participation.

4.5.2 Dept. of AYUSH conducts AROGYA fairs, limited advertisements in electronic media and supports development of IEC material. Siddha should fully utilize this and reach maximum number of people.

4.5.3 Community herbal gardens, kitchen herbal gardens, Focused group meetings on the responsibilities of an individual in maintaining his or health, educating women Self help groups will help active community participation. Create awareness through audio visual media.PHC doctors should coordinate with local panchayat leaders and community.

4.6 To strengthen research activities to ensure the quality of service and products pertaining to Siddha systems of medicine

4.6.1 Current infrastructure and research priorities though has contributed to the development of drugs for certain diseases like Psoriasis, research priorities should be lifestyle disorders, refractive illness for which bio-medicine do not have an answer or a solution which is unaffordable. Research on fundamental concepts of Siddha system is stressed. Research in the arena of non invasive diagnostic tools in Siddha like manikadainool and neikuri should be initiated.

4.6.2 Physical infrastructure and funding for recurrent expenditure to be enhanced to take up treatment protocol and drug development for at least ten diseases. Establishing safety and efficacy profile for 100 most frequently used Siddha formulations acceptable to international standards.

4.6.3 Siddha drug- Bio-medicine interaction, food drug interaction needs to be studied.

4.7 Effort to validate the safety and effectiveness of traditional medicines using current medical guidelines.

4.7.1 With regard to quality assurance a systematic method will be institutionalized for the quality assurance of indigenous systems of medicine’s products and processes aligned with national and global requirements.

4.7.2 The World Health Organization (WHO) has set global guidelines towards evaluating the safety and efficacy of traditional medicines. These guidelines are quite extensive and include the evaluation of traditional medicines according to their environment and the contexts in which they are being used. WHO guidelines for methodologies on research and evaluation of traditional medicine (2000) articulate a strategy to improve and promote the proper use and development of traditional medicine. Quality standards for Siddha Medicine should not only follow similar guidelines but develop methods appropriate to local conditions to ensure the synergy of the product is not affected.

4.7.3 Introduction of reforms in regulatory affairs along with capacity building of units in the Indian System of Traditional Medicine to help maximize growth. The industry in the small and micro segment will need to collaborate and form clusters where knowledge and resource sharing can help to maximize capacity utilization. Small units need to come out the traditional shackles and adopt a contemporary image.

4,7.4 In this regard, there is a need to ease the licensing systems and rationalize safety & efficacy for drug innovations. The government should recognize the strength in the holistic system, encourage the development of classical preparations, insist the ISM doctors to utilize diagnostic tests wherever applicable to provide more conviction to the treatment protocol.

4.7.5 The industry should document all its processes from raw material to packaging. The practitioners of Traditional System of Medicine should document diagnosis, treatment processes, report adverse drug reactions and publish review of cases. There is also a need for the industry to work in collaboration with the TSM doctor or ‘vaidya’ in the drug development process.

4.7.6 The task on hand is to ensure Schedule T compliance, institutionalize quality tasks at every stage, develop value-added products, preserve traditional process for ‘Classical process/recipes, invest in research and development. The units should have a global mindset and a local focus to cater to domestic market needs. These small companies should look at adopting information technology and backward integration to succeed,


We, the members of the Siddha community present on the meeting on 26th June, 2011, solemnly pledge to work towards the set goals.
Vd.S.Usman Ali

Dr.G.Sivaraman

Dr.M.P.Agasthiyan
Dr.A.Kumaravel

Dr.T.Thirunarayanan

Dr.K.Ravi
Dr.M.Murugesan

Dr.R.Sudha

Dr.R.Manikantan
Dr.M.Meenakshisundaram

Dr.R.Padmapriya

Dr.Lavanya
Dr.Pitchayakumar

Dr.Sathiyarajesaran

Dr.G.Subashchandran
Dr. M.Suresh

Dr.S.Rajkumar

Dr.S.Ramaswamy pillai
Dr. Joseph Maria Adaikalam

Dr.G.Thangavel

Dr.Shankar
Dr.L.Sivakumar

Siddha Vision 2025

Govt. of Tamilnadu proposes to develop a vision document for the development of the state -Vision 2025. In line with the above thinking CTMR plans to develop a Siddha Vision 2025 document for delivering a holistic affordable healthcare through our traditional medicine and present the same to both State and Central Govts, University, Research organisations.

This idea of bringing a common vision has already been discussed among a core group of Private practioners, Post Graduate Siddha Doctors Association, Voluntary sector members, Policy makers, representatives of teaching institutes etc.

The First Drafting committee meeting will be held on 26th June 2011 at CTMR office 24, Anna Nagar Main Road, Ganesh Nagar, Puzhuthiwakkam. Contact 9444018158

This draft will be mailed to as many stakeholders as possible, all views collected and duly incorporated and presented to a vetting team.

Once agreed upon will be presented to the Govt. for incorporating into the Health Policy and implementation.

CTMR Therapy centre

Centre for Traditional Medicine & Research (CTMR) has a full fledged therapy centre now at 24, Anna Nagar Main Road, Puzhuthivakkam, Chennai- 600091.

CTMR has been so far operating from 4A,4th Cross Street, Mahalakshmi Nagar, Adambakkam, Chennai- 600088 and running the free treatment centre from ' Siddha Health Centre' Chinnandikuppam Main Road, Vetuvankeni off the ECR Road, Chennai with outreach at Velankadu village and in Kottiwakkam.

In order to cater to the middle class population of the suburban region of Velachery, Madipakkam, Ullagaram, Puzhuthiwakkam and Adambakkam area with a sizable geriatric population this additional therapy centre is being inagurated on 3rd June 2011. Atleast 5 consultants will be attending to patients in the area of Lifestyle disorders- Diabetes, Hypertension, Stress, Dermatology, Neuro- skeletal muscular disorders, Asthma and Allergy.

The centre will have facilities for cleansing therapies, external therapy procedures and rejuvenation therapy.

This centre will continue the concept of affordable health care with focus on preventive and promotive health with Traditional Siddha and Ayurvedic approach.

AMR charitable Trust of Mr.Arulmudi has provided the space for the treatment centre for which CTMR is thankful.

For further details call : 044-22533399 and CTMR secretary Dr.T.Thirunarayanan at 9444018158

நூல் வெளியீடு

மூலிகை மருத்துவர் திரு.குன்றத்தூர் ராமமூர்த்தி எழுதியுள்ள 'எளிய மருந்து இனிய வாழ்வு' என்ற நூல் அண்மையில் பாரம்பரிய மருத்துவ ஆய்வு மைய இயக்குனர் வைத்ய. உஸ்மான் அலி அவர்களால் வெளியிடப்பட்டது. கல்பாக்கம் சித்த மருத்துவ மன்றத்தில் நடை பெற்ற எளிய நிகழ்ச்சியில் இந்நூலின் முதல் பிரதியை மன்றத் தலைவர் திரு. சுப்ரமணியன் பெற்று கொண்டார் . தமிழகத்தின் முன்னாள் நிதி அமைச்சரும் சித்த மருத்துவ ஆர்வலருமான பேராசிரியர் திரு. அன்பழகன் இந்நூலிற்கு சிறந்த அணிந்துரை வழங்கி ஒவ்வொருவர் இல்லத்திலும் இந்நூல் கண்டிப்பாக இருத்தல் வேண்டும் என்றும் , இதனை கடைபிடித்து வாழ்ந்து வந்தால் நோய் இல்லா இனிய வாழ்வு அனைவருக்கும் சாத்தியம் என்றும் தெரிவித்து உள்ளார். பாரம்பரிய மருத்துவ ஆய்வு மையம் போற்றுதலுக்கு உரிய இப்பணியை மேற்கொண்ட மூலிகை செம்மலை மனதார வாழ்த்துகிறது.

ஓலை சுவடிகள்

பாரம்பரிய மருத்துவ ஆய்வு மையம்,மருத்துவ ஓலை சுவடிகளை மின்பதிவு செய்யும் பணியில் ஈடுபட்டிருக்கிறது. எதிர்கால சந்ததியருக்கு நம் சித்த மருத்துவ செல்வம் அழியாமல் சேர்வதற்கும் நம் மருத்துவ வலிமை மேம் படுவதற்கும் இம்முயற்சி மிக அவசியம். பாரம்பரிய மருத்துவர்களும், தமிழ் அறிஞர்களும் இம்முயற்சி வெற்றி பெற உதவுமாறு வேண்டுகிறோம். தங்களிடம் இருக்கும் சுவடிகளை மின்பதிவு செய்ய சில காலம் கொடுத்து உதவவும். மின்பதிவு செய்த பின்னர் சுவடிகள் நல்ல நிலையில் திரும்பி கொடுக்கப்படும். நன்றி -திருநாராயணன்
தங்களுக்கு தெரிந்தவர்களிடம் சுவடி இருக்குமானாலும் தெரிவிக்கவம்.

World Siddha Day celeberations

The government siddha doctors of Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts jointly organized a seminar at Dharmapuri on 14th Apl,2011 to commemorate the World Siddha Day. Dr P Arunadevi, Dharmapuri District Siddha Medical Officer presided over and the Tamil scholar Dr R Elam Kumaranar delivered the keynote address. Ms K Malarvizhi from Anna University, Trichy spoke on ‘Technological Platform for the Development of Siddha”, and Dr K Kootharasan, special grade Medical officer, Siddha delivered a lecture on “Phyto-chemical Constituents.” Dr T Thirunarayanan, Secretary of CTMR was honoured on the occasion and conferred the title ‘Manithaneya Maruthuvar’ meaning physician with humanitarian outlook. Dr.T.Thirunarayanan thanked the Siddha Doctors Association, and said “we need to take up more technology, more research to take the medicines to the masses, especially the poor and the under privileged at an affordable cost.

Mr.Malaravan of the Tamil cultural and medical tradition association handed over a medicinal palm manuscript to Dr.T.Thirunarayanan as CTMR is engaged in preserving and digitizing the ancient manuscripts.

Workshop for School Students on Traditional Medicine

The Coordinator of Health Programmes of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and physician -teacher Dr.Suchitra from 'The Schoo'l of the J.Krishnamoorthy foundation wanted CTMR to organize a workshop on Traditional Medicine for the Children from Avvai home School. CTMR organized a workshop on 28th Feb 2011 at its office premises. About 15 students and three teachers took part in the workshop. Healthy living, low cost healthy diet using local resource, common diseases and simple herbal remedies were explained to them by Dr.T.Thirunarayanan. Mrs Jeyanthi Narayanan explained the uses of various medicinal plants that can be grown in households, school herbal garden and also available in common land and roadsides. About 40 types of medicinal plants were shown to them. Dr. S.Rajkumar explained the use of crude herbal drugs, most of them available in kitchen and showed them the crude drugs. He also demonstrated preparation of Simple cures like Thiriphala churanum, Thirikatu churanam, preperation of Syrup and decoction. The Children interacted very well with the experts and got their doubts clarified apart from telling them the use of herbs which are grown in their neighbourhood. The entire workshop was videographed by staff of Visual education division for circulation among schools.

CTMR -TASUDMA workshop

Centre for Traditional Medicine & Research and Tamil Nadu Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani Drug Manufacturers Association organized a workshop at Hotel Palmgrove, Chennai on 26th Feb 2011 on ‘Technical obstacles in ISM drug manufacturing and Testing’ to educate its members about WHO Guidelines and Ayush Protocols issued by the Department of Ayush provided a valuable forum for exchange of views and to design practical ideas on issues faced by the ISM sector.Most of the participants including Vijay A Mehtha, president of TASUDMA, highlighted the grave issue with regard to non-availability of raw drugs. Mehtha said government should intervene into the raw drug crisis faced by the manufacturers otherwise the ISM industry in the country will suffer a lot. Most of the drugs producing companies are struggling for want of raw materials for the preparation of medicines which are getting popular in many countries.He said there are more than 6000 Siddha and Ayurveda outlets in Tamil Nadu and a host of people in various capacities are getting jobs in the manufacturing companies and in hospitals. Vijay Mehtha appealed to the government of Tamil Nadu to immediately intervene in the problems of ISM manufacturers of the state complaining that currently there is no basic ground for the industry to grow. Measure should be taken to avail sufficient quantity of raw drugs to the big and small companies, he demanded.Dr T. AnandAN, director -in-charge for the Siddha Central Research Institute, Chennai said that because of lack of modern laboratories with state-of-the-art technology, it becomes difficult to ensure hundred percent quality in drugs. There are many drugs being imported, but it is difficult to find out their botanical identity. So it is impossible to set standard of certain drugs. According to him, even the pharmacopoeia committee is facing troubles in identifying single drugs. Identity, purity and strength of the drug are standardized and published in the monograph by the Siddha pharmacopoeia committee.He further said Tamil Nadu is blessed with large quantity of flora and fauna which are used for the formulation of Siddha medicines, but it is not sufficient for the total requirement of the state.While speaking on ‘Gray areas in ISM pharmacopoeia and use of correct raw materials’, Dr Usman A Ali, director of CTMR, said farmers should be encouraged to cultivate herbs. He spoke on various types of herbs and how they were used by the traditional healers in olden days and how they are used now by the physicians today without acquiring thorough knowledge about the plants.Dr T Thirunarayanan, secretary of Centre for Traditional Medicines and Research, while speaking on WHO Guidelines and Ayush Protocols for Drug Regulations’ said that the guidelines issued by the Department of Ayush, will definitely improve not only quality of the products but also improve higher sales for the manufacturers . Quality products are the key for the ISM systems popularization both within the country and overseas. He mentioned there is no specific mention about the list of laboratories where the drugs can be tested for toxicology and efficacy studies. He said Tamil Nadu has five approved laboratories, out of which three are in Chennai, for testing the products. Universities like SRMC, Shastra, TNUVAS do have toxicology labs. But the small scale units cannot afford the expenses to be incurred to access the facilities in the approved labs. So the department should come into an agreement with the universities and institutes by signing some MoUs for the sake of small scale manufacturers.Dr Helmut Weidlich, Professor of Dr George Kurz GMBH Institute in Germany, in his speech on ‘Registration in European Union countries’ said import of medicine into European countries are approved through the national authorities for medicine. The authorities there check who distributes the medicine to their consumers. He said in the western countries, to get some medicine from a pharmacy, one has to get medical advice from the authorities.The workshop has led to a greater understanding of many of the issues involved in the manufacture, sale and export of Indian drugs and much progress has been made in the development of concepts and procedures suitable for complying with the norms of Ayush protocols.Besides senior officers from regulatory side, the workshop was attended by 40 participants from different parts of the state.

Free Medical camp at Tondaiarpet

Krishnabai Jhaver Memorial Trust organized a free medical camp at the backward North chennai area at Captain Mahal -Tondaiarpet on 11th Feb 2011. The Organization has invited CTMR to run the Siddha consultation part of the medical camp. Dr.S.Rajkumar, Chief Medical officer of CTMR - Siddha Health Centre and Dr.Priyadarshini took part in the camp and offered medical advise to 70 patients for various ailments like Acid-peptic disease, arthritis, lumbago, dermatological ailments, ano-rectal diseases. Apart from Siddha, eye clinic, pediatric, Gynecology, dental and Diabetic clinics were also conducted. The deserving patients for taken to Udhi eye hospital for catract surgery.

CTMR implements digital clinical documentation

CTMR has implemented digital documentation of medical records in its Siddha Health Centre at Chinnandikuppam in East Coast Road. Chennai. This centre provides free consultation and medicines and external therapies to the needy. Dr.S.Rajkumar, Medical officer of the centre underwent training at AVP coimbatore. The digital medical records will provide better follow up of patients, help maintain a proper medical history and also enable documentation of safety and efficacy of Siddha medicines and therapies.

Lecture on Management of Lifestyle diseases with Traditional Medicine

The Board of Trustees of Srinagar colony, a residential colony in chennai invited Centre for Traditional medicine & Research to organise a seminar for its members on 30th Jan 2011. Since Lifestyle diseases -Non communicable Diseases are the major problem currently and since the risk factors associated with them are modifiable CTMR decided to conduct the seminar on' Management of Lifestyle diseases with traditional medicine' mainly drawing from the experience of Siddha system. Dr.T.Thirunarayanan, Secretary CTMR listed out the various risk factors like obesity, increased blood pressure caused due to deviation from the Satwik food habits, physical inactivity, stress, alcohol consumption and smoking. He explained the daily regimen suggested in siddha, Satwik food options, Yoga, Pranayama, Kaya kalpa therapy He explained the science behind the siddha approach, anti-oxidant benefit of the herbs and Kaya kalpa practices, reversal of altered lipid metabolism and Coronory vascular changes with herbs. Dr. R. Padma priya facilitated the seminar and assured follow up support to the residents in practising them

Lecture on ‘Herbs in Management of Diseases’

The Post Graduate Department of Botany of the Aringar Anna college of Arts and Sciences, Villupuram organized a one day National Seminar on Emerging trends in Medicinal Plants research and Utilization on 27th Jan 2011. Vd. S. Usman Ali, Director of the Centre for Traditional Medicine & Research delivered the key note address on Herbs in Management of Diseases’ In his lecture he explained the various aspects like herbal Drugs, Drug Combinations, Pharmaceutics, Dose, Safety, Diet and Drug-Diet interaction . He explained how one herb could have many pharmacological actions and many herbs could have the same pharmacological action and explained how to choose an appropriate herb or combination of herbs for a particular disease. He explained the features of 50 herbs commonly used Industry as well as Traditional medicine practitioners.

Workshop on Technical obstacles in AYUSH Industries

Centre for Traditional Medicine and Research
4A,4th Cross Street, mAhalakshmi Nagar
Adambakkam, Chennai- 600088
Ph:04422533399
E-mail; dirctmr@sify.com

&

Tamilnadu Siddha Ayurveda Unani Drug Manufacturers Association

Jointly organizes a one day workshop on

‘Technical obstacles in ISM manufacturing sector and overcoming them’
On 26th Feb, 2011.
At Hotel Palmgrove
Kodambakkam High Road, Chennai

The topics would cover

Obstacles faced in raw material quality and simple testing procedures
Grey areas in ISM pharmacopeias and formularies of Go.I
WHO guidelines and AYUSH Protocol for drug development.

Speakers would include luminaries with Industrial and research background

The participants would include manufacturers and Q.C persons of Small, Medium and Tiny industries, regulatory officials and policy makers.

The workshop is limited to 30 participants. Please register at the earliest.
dirctmr@sify.com or ttn64@sify.com Ph 9444018158

Mr.Vijay Metha Vd.S.Usman Ali
President- TASUDMA Director CTMR

Lecture on Siddha and Sacred Groves

Dr. Whitney Howarth, Professor along with a team of twenty students from Plymouth State University (New Hampshire, USA) is on a visit to Sadhana forest Auroville near Pondicherry for 3 weeks from Jan 5th. Dr. Whitney has organized series of lectures there to make her students familiar with Indian Culture and Conservation ethics of Indian culture. As part of the programme Dr.T.Thirunarayanan, secretary CTMR was invited to speak on ‘Siddha tradition and sacred groves’ on 24th Jan 2011.
Sadhana Forest started its ecological revival and sustainable living work on December 19th 2003. The vision of its founders, Yorit and Aviram Rozin, is to transform 70 acres of severely eroded, arid land on the outskirts of Auroville. In a spirit of human unity, their aim is to introduce a growing number of people to sustainable living. The community focus their nergy and resources on the creation of a vibrant, indigenous Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest (TDEF).
Dr. Thirunarayanan explained how the sacred groves are significant as micro units of bio-diversity and show case the biological heritage. He also explained the groves as treasure troves which help as seed bank, conserve water and soil and influence the microclimate. The medicinal plants present in the groves makes them the God’s dispensary. He enumerated the use of 20 tree species and their significance in traditional medicine. The second part of the presentation on the long history of use of Siddha medicine, its concept of living in harmony with nature, body-mind linkage, and role of traditional food in health was well received by the students and this was followed by a question-answer session.

Meet at Courtallam to document traditional medical practices

News in The Hindu- News paper
TIRUNELVELI: To formally document the traditional medical practices being followed by the folk healers of the land with the locally available plants to cure a range of diseases and poisonous bites, particularly from southern Tamil Nadu, the Union Government is organising a meet at Courtallam on January 8.
G. Subash Chandran, faculty member, Government Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai, told ‘The Hindu' here on Wednesday that the Indian traditional medicine had a long history of use in addressing the health needs of people of this country apart from the institutionally trained doctors of Siddha, since many folk healers have been delivering health care, particularly in remote areas, with locally available plants.
Ever since the registration of Indian medical practitioners has been stopped, many children of traditional practitioners with a long heritage have shifted to other vocations.
Decreasing strength
This has led to slow erosion in the number of practitioners and also with them the strong knowledge base of healing lying with each of the traditional healer's families.
In order to revitalise the traditional health practices which are certainly cost effective and safe, Department of AYUSH, Government of India has implemented a scheme of documenting, validation and revitalisation of these traditions through NGOs.
Chennai-based Centre for Traditional Medicine and Research (CTMR) and Siddha Health Foundation (SHF) are carrying out these projects in different districts of Tamil Nadu.
Siddha Health Foundation is carrying out the documentation of the knowledge base in southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu in Tirunelveli and Virudhunagar districts. As part of the revitalization programme a traditional healers' meet is organised jointly by SHF and CTMR on January 8 at Sri Parasakthi College of Women, Courtallam.
About 100 traditional healers and 25 institutionally trained experts including teaching faculty members of Government Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai would participate in the event and share their experiences.
This would facilitate in bringing out the closely kept secrets of healing which would also be reviewed.
Topics would include mother and child health, bone setting, varma, treatment of poisonous bites etc., Dr. Subash Chandran said.
H. Malleshappa, Project Director of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve will inaugurate the meet as most of the healers depend on the medicinal plant resources from the fringe area of this famous sanctuary.
S. Usman Ali, Director of CTMR will deliver the keynote address while Dr. T. Appranantham, the research project leader of SHF will explain the salient features points of the research findings and M. Murugesan, Dean of the National Institute of Siddha will deliver the valedictory address. T. Thirunarayanan, secretary of CTMR and organising secretary of the meet can be contacted at 9444018158.