SHILLONG: Traditional medicine, also known as indigenous or folk medicine comprises medical aspects of traditional knowledge that developed over generations within various societies before the era of modern medicine.
With this in mind, the Government of Meghalaya is planning to go big by popularising its local herbs and traditional healing practices to the entire world.
Mithu Baidya, a scientist from IIT Kanpur along with Health Minister, AL Hek met Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma and discussed about the entire plan on Friday.
While speaking to reporters, Baidya said that by extracting the chemical compounds from the local herbs used by traditional Khasi healers, it would be possible to manufacture modern medicine which would in turn benefit the people.
He said that traditional healers in the state possess vast knowledge about medicinal plants and will prove to be of great help in identifying the herbs.
“If we can have a library of the local herbs here in future, we can have many types of medicine coming out of Meghalaya,” he said, adding that a committee will be set up by the Health Department which will coordinate with the scientists working on the project.
On the other hand, Health and Family Welfare Minister, AL Hek said that the government is contemplating on the matter and will look into the idea of developing a library of herbs in the future.
“Local herbs which are available here will be patented in consultation with the local healers and everyone will be benefitted,” Hek said adding that more than 500 traditional healers have already registered with the Government. (Contd. on P-10)
Govt bats for modernisation…
(Contd. from P-3) “We have the traditional art of treating by using traditional medicines which are found in abundance here and all we need to do is promote and popularise it,” he said adding that the state government is working out a long term plan to achieve it.
Highlighting the positive aspects, Hek said that this will pave the way for traditional healers to improve their economic status and also help preserve traditional healing besides boosting health tourism in the state.
Earlier, Meghalaya Governor, Tathagata Roy while attending a scientific discussion on indigenous system of medicines had also stressed on the need to promote indigenous traditional medicinal plants in the state.Around 550 out of 1800 traditional healers have been trained by the Bio Resources Development Council, an institute of the state government.
In addition to this, other experts in the field of herbs namely H Bani,traditional healer, Thomas Iangjuh, Jr. Scientist Bio Resource Development Centre, Pradeep Joyti, CMD Vasudeva Kerala and Arun Shukhla, Prof. Engineering & Bio-Sciences, IIT Kanpur are also working on the project.
It may be mentioned that the state government has in the last few weeks stressed on the need to promote local indigenous medicine. A health and wellness centre was also inaugurated at Golf Links.
