Maharashtra Government is mulling over setting up separate AYUSH university in Maharashtra. The region has not yet decided. But it is giving serious thought to it, considering the rising number of Ayurved, Unani and Homoeopathy colleges. At present Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik has around 1,000 colleges offering Medical, Dental, Ayurvedic, Homoeopathy, Unani, Physiotherapy, Nursing and other courses. Also, over 200 colleges are providing Ayurved, Homoeopathy and Unani courses. This may not reduce MUHS’ workload to a large extent but help it focus more on certain courses.

 

According to experts, separate AYUSH University may lead to increase in research activities. Ayurved needs research and if the separate university is formed, then all pathies will get proper justice. With the increase in number of medical, dental, nursing colleges, the MUHS alone is not able to pay attention to every branch in a focussed manner, the experts said. Central Government is giving special treatment to Ayurved, Homoeo, Unani as it feels, Indian system of medicine should get a boost. A former Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of MUHS pointed out that the concept of separating Ayurved, Homoeo and Unani courses from the university will make a lot of difference. Apart from reduction in workload, the move will ensure concentrated efforts for the development of these branches. There are several good people who practices Indian medicine system and are neglected.

 

Through AYUSH, these people can be brought into mainstream and their skills can be utilised for the betterment of the healthcare facilities, the ex-V-C added. The first Chairman of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and noted Ayurved Expert Dr Jayant Deopujari said, “Central Government has formed separate AYUSH ministry. Similarly Maharashtra Government too should float independent AYUSH department as it called in State. I don’t think that the university should be split. Independent department will make a difference. The minister of that department will take care of the branches like Ayurved, Homoeo and Unani.” Dr Sanjeev Chaudhari, noted Orthopadic Surgeon who worked as Chancellor nominee to MUHS and is Regional Director of the university’s Vidarbha unit took a different stand. According to Dr Chaudhari, when we talk about integrated system, there is no need to form an independent university. “We can conduct research activities together with medical, dental, nursing, ayurved, homoeo, unani. If we form AYUSH university, then people from Homoeo, nursing and other branches too start demanding their separate units. To avoid that conflict, we should keep all the pathies integrated,” pointed out Dr Chaudhari. 

 

 

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and suggested that Maharashtra should have separate AYUSH university and ministry. While pursuing the issue. he also met Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar and put in his suggestion. According to Jadhav, this will help the Government to bring several public-oriented schemes to boost the Indian system. “This should be given a serious thought,” Jadhav pointed out while expressing his view.