New Delhi: Dr. Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, asserted India’s global leadership in Traditional Medicine during the inauguration of Unani Day 2024 and the National Conference on Unani Medicine for One Earth, One Health organized by the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) in Pusa, New Delhi, . He stressed the importance of evidence-based scientific research in the Ayush sector.
The event witnessed the presence of key figures including Dr. Jayant Deopujari, Chairman of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine, New Delhi; Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Vice Chancellor of the Islamic University of Science & Technology, Awantipora, Jammu & Kashmir; Dr. Nazir Ah. Ganai, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-Kashmir; Dr. Sunchu Glory Swarupa, Director General of the National Institute for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, Hyderabad; Dr. M. A. Qasmi, Adviser (Unani) at the Ministry of Ayush; and Dr. N. Zaheer Ahmed, Director General of CCRUM, alongside other officials from the Ministry of Ayush.
In his capacity as the chief guest, Dr. Rajesh Kotecha underscored the significance of Unani Day in acknowledging the substantial role Unani Medicine plays in relieving people’s suffering. He highlighted the theme of Unani Day 2024, “Unani Medicine for One Earth, One Health,” emphasizing shared responsibility for the planet’s welfare and the importance of collaboration in addressing global health challenges. He reaffirmed the Indian government’s commitment to integrating and promoting traditional systems of medicine, including Unani, and stressed their holistic approach to healthcare and preventive measures. He also highlighted the visionary support and direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has facilitated significant advancements in healthcare infrastructure, research collaborations, export promotion mechanisms, educational reforms, and the global expansion of India’s traditional medicine system.
During his welcome address, Dr. N. Zaheer Ahmed, Director General of CCRUM, paid tribute to revered freedom fighter and pioneer of scientific research in Unani Medicine in India, Hakim Ajmal Khan. He emphasized that Unani Day is a special occasion to acknowledge the significant role Unani Medicine has been playing in alleviating the suffering of the masses.
Various publications and e-books, a Mobile App on Unani compound drugs, and a documentary, all developed by CCRUM, were released during the event. Furthermore, NABH and NABL certificates were awarded to four CCRUM institutes, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged between CCRUM and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, marking a significant collaboration.
During the technical sessions, experts and luminaries from the field of health sciences shared their knowledge, experiences, and expertise on different aspects of the conference theme. Stakeholders from industry, academia, and research organizations engaged in the development of Unani Medicine and related health sciences attended the conference in large numbers. A panel discussion on the theme of the conference was chaired by Prof. Asim Ali Khan, Chairman of the SAC at CCRUM.
The titles of the CCRUM printed books released are ‘Jahan-e-Tib (Alami Waba Number)’, ‘Adwiya Kulwiyya – A Compendium of Classical and Evidence-based Unani Drugs Acting on the Kidneys’, ‘Adwiya Qalbiyya – Qadīm-o-Jadīd Taḥqīqāt kī Raushnī mein’ (A compendium of classical and evidence-based Unani drugs acting on the heart), ‘Safety and Efficacy of UNIM-001 and UNIM-003 in Baraṣ (Vitiligo) – A Technical Report’, and ‘UPLC Fingerprinting and Pharmacopoeial Studies of Unani Coded Compound Formulation UNIM-040’, while the titles of e-books are ‘Muheet-i-Azam, vol. 1 (Urdu)’, ‘Kitabul Mi-at fit-Tib (Arabic)’, and ‘Standard Operating Procedures for Hijama (Cupping)’. Appreciation certificates were also awarded to CCRUM scientists for Best Research Papers.