International conference on fundamentals of Unani medicine begins at AMU

Aligarh: Four new Postgraduate courses in Unani Medicine Faculty were formally inaugurated by Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha at a function organized at Kennedy Auditorium on Tuesday.

Kotecha, a Padma Shri Awardee was addressing the inaugural function of two day international conference on the theme “Fundamentals of Unani Medicine, the basis of complete health”, organised by Department of Kulliyat in Faculty of Unani Medicine.

Admissions for these four new PG courses have been done in academic session 2019-20.

Kotecha was all praise for founder of AMU, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. “I am happy to note that faculty of Unani Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University has emerged as a model institution of excellence in educational sector and I take this opportunity to pay homage to the legendary educationalist, social reformer and founder of this University Sir Syed Ahmad for his vision”, said Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha.

Faculty of UNani Medicine is progressing by leaps and bounds with the revival of 100 undergraduate seats and other diploma courses.

Addressing the function, Sri Kotecha stated that the evidence based medicinal practice along with an effective and robust public health system is the need of the hour to improve the health and well being of people. The AYUSH systems of medicine comprising Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homeopathy represent a pluralistic and integrative approach to health services.

He informed that Ministry of Ayush is working on mainstreaming of AYUSH to promote the use of traditional medicine in national public health system and its portal NAMSATE is exclusively dedicated to the centralised collection of morbidity statistics of various health care provider institutions under all AYUSH systems spread all over the country.

In his Presidential remark, Prof Akhtar Haseeb (Pro-Vice Chancellor, AMU) mentioned about doctrine of seven basic physiological principles (al-umoor al-tabiyah), doctrine of six essential factors (Asbabe Sitta Zarooriya) and the doctrine of temperature (Mizaj) and humours (akhlat) and briefed that the concept of Unani medicine on the health of human body is maintained by such doctrines.

Guest of honour Dr Mohammed Ali Rabbani, (Chief Counsellor and Head of Iran Culture House, New Delhi) appreciated the academic infrastructure of AMU, and said that such conferences paves the way for better understanding and collaborations for research , faculty and students exchange programmes.

Guest of Honour Prof Asim A khan (Director General, CCRUM, New Delhi) stated that such conferences provide an excellent opportunity to the stakeholders of Unani system of medicine and other relevant fields to share their experience and expertise. He added that CCRUM is flourishing under the patronage of Ministry of AYUSH and there are 23 centres functioning in different parts of the country.

Dr Mohd Tahir (Unani Advisor to Min of AYUSH), appreciated the efforts of the Chairman and members of the organising committee for holding conference on a very relevant topic and bringing together academicians, physicians and researchers to discuss the development of evidence-based medical approach.

Dr Zubair Shaikh (Vice President, Unani CCIM) expressed confidence that deliberations will pave way for recommendation and a road map where compliance to the fundamentals of the system will give a comprehensive solution to complete health and well being of the society.

Earlier, in his opening remark, Prof MMH Siddiqui (Dean Faculty of Unani Medicine) extended his thanks to Padma Shri Kotecha for sanctioning teaching positions and four new PG courses and asked for further cooperation in terms of introducing new PG degree and diploma courses and reviving of 100 under graduate seats and financial assistance to develop infrastructure.

Earlier Sri Vaidya R Kotecha was presented his own portrait drawn by a faculty member and inaugurated four new couses by clicking the mouse and also released a souvenir on the occasion.

Prof Saud A Khan (Principal AKTC) paid vote of thanks and Prof Ferasat Ali organising chairman delivered welcome address.

The proceeding was conducted by Prof FS Sherani.