What’s in news?
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), under the Union Ministry of Health, and the Union Ministry of Ayush have decided to expand their collaboration in the area of health research related to integrated medicine. This change would assist the All India Institute of Medical Sciences’ (AIIMS) Ayush departments in becoming departments of integrated medicine.
Two different types of cooperation have been discussed:
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- One for research and
- One for AIIMS practice.
Integrated/integrative medicine:
In order to treat a patient, integrated medicine combines traditional medical methods with non-conventional ones including ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, unani, siddha, and homoeopathy.
Significance of Integrated/integrative medicine:
- Integrated medicine will improve the therapies AIIMS can provide under one roof.
- It will aid in the development of standardised clinical care research methods. This is crucial for non-communicable illnesses when there is restricted access to medical care.
- The introduction of India’s system of mind-body medicine which includes Ayurveda and Yoga is must to the outside world. Integrative medicine focuses to achieve this.
New concept:
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- Since integrating what works with what doesn’t and giving undue credit to what doesn’t work, integrative medicine is not practised in any scientifically sophisticated society
Concerns related to alternative medicine:
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- More than 70% of individuals have used complementary/alternative medicine at some point in their lives, and about 50% of them now use it.
- This enables promotion and advertising of the event. There is no proven advantages of alterative medicines, however it is available over the counter.
- Many patients encounter side effects and adverse events, the most frequent of which is liver damage.
- Alternative medicine, which may contain heavy metals or contemporary pharmaceuticals, has occasionally led to damage to the body.
- The main causes of this include product adulteration, contamination, or the direct toxicity of specific plants. Moreover, there is no pharmacovigilance occurring at this time.
- It is necessary to control the selling of these medications.
Five barriers to healthcare:
- Awareness,
- Access,
- Acceptability,
- Affordability, and
- Accountability
Way Forward:
Maintaining health involves a number of medical procedures. Modern medicine is very significant. But there is a wealth of knowledge and age-old customs that may be wisely and securely assimilated for the benefit of mankind.
Source: The Hindu
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