International confab on Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and traditional medicines:

Natural solution vital for health challenges

By Naalir Jamaldeen

The Institute of Indigenous Medicine (IIM), University of Colombo has made all arrangements to hold the first international conference on Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Traditional Medicines from December 19 to 21 at BMICH, under the guidance of University Grants Commission (UGC), Organising Chairman and Section Head of Unani Medicine, IIM Dr. B.M. Nageeb said in an interview with the Sunday Observer.

IIM has a history over 80 years and is affiliated to the University of Colombo since 1977. Since its inception it has produced a large number of Ayurvedic, Unani and Siddha medical graduates so far, Dr. Nageeb said.

He said that the conference will provide a platform for eminent researchers, academicians, physicians, traditional medical practitioners, manufacturers and exporters of herbal products and members from corporate sector from all over the world.

Scientific sessions will be held on December 20 and 21 in line with the conference. Scientific session will be held at IIM, University of Colombo, Rajagiriya. Free medical camps have also been organised. The people can attend eye, health scanning, diabetic and life and life style clinics will be held, he said.

The conference is expected that to bring over 400 researchers, drug manufacturers and scholars in the Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Traditional medical sectors to a stage. Two hundred research articles have come to IIM by Tuesday last week from India, Bangladesh, Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

Some dried Unani herbal varieties.

An ayurvedic drug stall.

Several themes such as Quality control and standardisation of medical plants used in Unani, Ayurveda and Siddha and traditional medicines, conservation and cultivation of economically and medicinally important plants, pharmaceutical and industrial development in medicinal plants and natural products, Pharmacognosy and phytochemistry, clinic trail, photochemistry, and Pharmacological studies on Unani, Ayurveda, Siddha and Traditional formations in non-communicable diseases, Reconciliation of economic growth through medicinal plans, Role of regimental therapy in prevention and cure of diseases, Holistic approach of other contemporary system of medicine and healing art, rejuvenation and GeriatiCare, Dietetics ancient and modern perspective and Literary research on ancient system of medicine will be discussed during the conference, Dr. Nageeb said.

Dr. M.S.M. Shiffa Dr. B.M. Nageeb.

Besides Dr. Nageeb described the conference as a milestone in the indigenous medical history of Sri Lanka. The students, researchers and lecturers will receive an opportunity to exchange the knowledge in these sectors and to boost the syllabus content of the undergraduate studies. The quality of education can also be improved. Nearly 70 students from Sri Lanka representing the institute participate in the conference.

Undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the Unani medical sector are available in the IIM. All post graduate students who have registered for the conference and the students who have submitted research articles and case studies in diverse aspects will participate in the conference.

Senior lecturer of IIM Dr. M.S.M. Shiffa said that as scholars, professors and lecturers in the Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani medical sectors and drug manufacturers representing various countries across the globe are to participate in the conference Students of Sri Lanka will receive a chance to gain the knowledge of these medical systems belonging to various traditions and cultures.

Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical companies have been invited to display their products in the exhibition. Some have agreed to exhibit their products in the exhibition which has been scheduled to be held in line with the conference. Discussions are being held with some other drug manufacturers, Dr. Shiffa said.

Unani, Siddha and Ayurveda sectors are rapidly improving in the Indian sub-continent. So India has a major role to play to improve these sectors in the region and beyond, he said.

Dr. Nageeb said that local Ayurvedic drug manufacturers have also been invited for the exhibition and they will also display their products in the exhibition. Several local herbal medicine producers also sponsor to the conference.

He described the event as a rare opportunity the country's indigenous medical sector received. The proposed Ayurvedic exhibition will be the stage from where the glory of indigenous medical sector is to go to the world. The Ayurvedic drug manufacturing industries in the country will also benefit immensely.

Dr. Nageeb said that nearly 30 stalls will come up in the exhibition. Medical camps will also be held on par with the conference. A large number of patients are expected to visit medical camps. Eye, Health scanning and Diabetic clinics will be held.

The organising committee has asked the people to attend the medical camp and to get treatment for these diseases free of charge.

The people have started to pay close attention towards Ayurvedic Medicines. The native medicines have regained its glory, as it is the only means cure the physical and mental illness without side affects or with less side affects compared to Allopathic medicines. There are several systems in the body. One's health condition depends on the smooth function of these systems, he said.

Dr. Nageeb said that enormous medical systems are practiced in the world today. A healthy society or community can be established only when all these systems work together.

Dr. Nageeb said quoting the World Health Organisation (WHO) that more than 60 percent of population are seeking native treatment for their day-to-day illness.

In 2011 a conference was held in the Institute of Indigenous Medicine, Rajagiriya in collaboration with Tirupati University in India. The Ayurveda Exhibition has been organised by the IIM alone. Altogether nearly 60 foreign scholars are to attend the conference, he said.

He said that earlier we imported Unani Medicines from the University of Hamdard in India. There is a severe shortage of Unani medicines in Sri Lanka. The countries which produce Unani medicines must be made aware that there are sufficient opportunities to market Unani medicines in Sri Lanka. The three day conference is the main stage to leave this message to the world. The manufacturers of Unani may be willing to open their branches in Sri Lanka.

Hamdard operates its manufacturing plants in several countries. We also hold discussions with domestic companies which produce Ayurvedic Medicines. Some local Ayurvedic medicine producers have also promised to extend a helping hand to produce Unani Medicines. This is a rare opportunity for local pharmaceutical manufacturing companies to produce and introduce new medicines obtaining the ideas of experts in the indigenous medical sector, Dr. Shiffa said.

He said that the Government has also taken steps to promote health tourism. Ayurvedic Medical System can also be developed along with the development of tourism industry. There are spas in the coastal areas based in tourism hotels.

"The Government sector cannot implement any projects without the contribution of private sector. We approached famous pharmaceutical companies and they have agreed to extend support to manufacture Unani medicines in Sri Lanka. We have some strategic plans to develop their cooperation in our future events", Dr. Shiffa said.

"We have planned some events in the future like continuous medical education, certain kinds of conferences, workshops for the sake of a large number of students who are conducting undergraduate and postgraduate studies", he said.

"For instance Central Council of Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), is a Government institution.

This year's conference is held covering Unani, Ayurveda, Siddha and Traditional medical systems. Our first primary objective was to promote Unani Medicine in Sri Lanka and create awareness among other countries that we have a well developed Unani medical system in Sri Lanka. Shortage of resources obstruct the further development of the sector. We have developed some strategic plans to promote Unani medicine.

This is the only Institute in the world which conducts undergraduate and postgraduate studies along with other Ayurvedic System of medicine under one roof", he said.

According a postgraduate of IIM who is to take part in the conference representing the Institute I. Tharik, the main focus of the conference is to develop the international relationship in the field. Most of students have no experience in participating in such international conferences.

The students can receive different experiences by sharing ideas with the participants from abroad.

A large number of skilled students will receive scholarships to continue their higher studies abroad. MOUs have also been signed with foreign universities. Knowledge and research outcomes can be shared with the experts in the indigenous medical sector. Building up cultural knowledge is also included in the agendaHigher Education Minister S.B Dissanayake, Deputy Minister Nandimithra Ekanayake, Minister of Indigenous Medicine Salinda Dissanayake, Deputy Minister Pandu Bandaranayake, Guest of honour India's new High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Y K Sinha, Special Guest University Grants Commission Chairperson Kshanika Hirimburegama, keynote speaker Shakir Jamil, Director General, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine and some other distinguished invitees are to address.