National Conference on Unani Medicine
National Conference on Unani Medicine, themed on ‘Unani Medicine for Public Health’, that elaborated contributions and potentials of Unani Medicine in public health and highlighted that Unani Medicine has effective treatment for many diseases that are not effectively treated in other medical systems, organized by the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) as a part of 3rd Unani Day Celebration, on 11 & 12 February 2019 in New Delhi, concluded with the note that integration and synergy of all medical systems is the need of the hour to address the health challenges we are facing today.
Dr. Najma Heptulla, Governor of Manipur, inaugurating the Conference urged the Unani fraternity to progress and evolve with the changing times, adapt to new techniques of health research and contribute new approaches to health management. She informed that Manipur has the treasure of over 500 medicinal plants and invited the medical scientists to visit the state for research, and added, “Unani Medicine can offer the right solution for many health challenges we are facing due to lack of treatment of many diseases and paucity of resources”.
The conference had deliberations on Integration of Unani Medicine in Healthcare Delivery System, Management of Chronic Diseases in Unani Medicine, Public Health Programs, Unani Medicine for Geriatric Care, Unani Medicine for Mother and Child Healthcare, Quality Control in Traditional Medicine, Emerging Research Trends in Unani Medicine, and Way Forward for Globalization of Unani Medicine.
A panel discussion on Challenges in Market Development for Unani Medicine – An Interface between Academia, Industry and Researchers and three keynote addresses on Unani Medicine for Public Health were held in the conference.
In the presence of experts, luminaries, scholars of Unani Medicine, the conference proved an ample platform for healthy discussion and brain storming of ideas and creation of better avenues in further utilizing the strength of Unani Medicine in public health issues.
About 40 papers were presented during these sessions which had participation of 1300 delegates, resource persons, academicians, researchers, students and industry representatives participated in the conference.
The conference witnessed exchange of MoU for scientific collaboration in Unani Medicine between CCRUM and Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi
- Unani Day is celebrated on the 11th of February every year on birth anniversary Hakim Ajmal Khan.
- Unani Medicine in national public healthcare system through regulation of research and integration of quality products, practices, and practitioners into the health system is being promoted by the Ministry of AYUSH and the audience in the Conference was enlightened by Shripad Yesso Naik Minister of State (IC) for AYUSH, on the concrete steps taken by the Ministry.
- NAMASTE – PORTAL: National AYUSH Morbidity and Standardized Terminologies Electronic Portal, is an initiative for incorporation of AYUSH Morbidity Codes in ‘WHO – ICD 11’, AYUSH Grid, use of Social Media and A-HMIS.
- National Institute of Unani Medicine is being setup for which allotment of land in Ghaziabad and an allocation of ₹250 crore was announced.
- AYUSH systems are golden key to health and wellbeing and India is the strongest hub of Traditional Medicine which is one of the reasons medical tourism is flourishing in the country, said Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Union Minister for Minority Affairs, in his address, and stressed on Integration of Unani Medicine in Mainstream Healthcare in line with the government policies and initiatives for mainstreaming of AYUSH in national healthcare.
- Modernization of Unani Medicine and other traditional systems of medicine was needed keeping their principles and basics intact, emphasized Prof. Talat Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, Srinagar in his address to the conference.
- India is the world leader in Unani Medicine – with the largest infrastructure for teaching, research and practice, said Akhtarul Wasey President, Maulana Azad University, Jhodpur, in his address to the Conference and urged the Ministry of AYUSH and the Government of India to upgrade Ayurvedic & Unani Tibbia College to a full-fledged university.
- For globalization of Unani Medicine – validation of traditional systems of medicine on scientific parameters was emphasised by Padma Shri Dr. M.A. Waheed
AYUSH Awards for Unani Medicine were conferred on this occasion on various Unani scientists and experts in recognition of their contributions for research, teaching and practice of Unani Medicine:
- Best Research Paper Awards, which comprised a citation, a shawl and a cash award of ₹50000 each, were presented to Dr. Arshiya Sultana, Associate Professor, National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore for Clinical Research and Dr. Noman Anwar, Research Officer (Unani), Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine, Chennai for Drug Research in Unani Medicine.
- Young Scientist Awards, which comprised a citation, a shawl and a cash award of ₹100,000 each, were conferred on Dr. Jamal Akhtar, Research Officer (Unani) Scientist – III, CCRUM for Clinical Research and Dr. Nasreen Jahan, Associate Professor, National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore for Drug Research in Unani Medicine.
- Best Teacher Awards, which comprised a citation, a shawl and a cash award of ₹200000 each, were presented to Prof. Tanzeel Ahmad, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh for Clinical Research, Prof. Mohd Aslam, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi for Drug Research and Prof. Khalid Zaman Khan, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh for Literary Research in Unani Medicine.
- Lifetime Achievement Awards, which comprised a citation, a shawl and a cash award of ₹200,000 each, were conferred on Prof. Naeem Ahmad Khan, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh and Prof. M A Jafri, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi for Best Academician and Best Researcher in Unani Medicine respectively.
Conference Souvenir and four other publications brought out by the CCRUM were released by the dignitaries,