Setting up an international working group and a State-level council to promote yoga and naturopathy, a separate directorate of AYUSH at the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) to start paramedical diploma and certificate courses in these systems and an allocation of 10 per cent of the State health budget towards the development of Indian Systems of Medicine.

These are some of the key resolutions adopted at the International conference on Yoga and Naturopathy organised by the State Department of AYUSH in association with seven other organisations. On the concluding day, the conference also resolved to declare October 2 as Naturopathy Day.

Medical Education Minister S.A. Ramadas, who endorsed these resolutions at the valedictory of the conference, announced that the Government would go all out to promote AYUSH globally. “An international working group will be set up under the Department of AYUSH to promote these systems of Indian medicine globally. We have sought the Union Government's help for this,” he said.

“Yoga and Naturopathy are two important therapies that can prevent and cure several physical and psychosomatic ailments. We are worried about the increasing cases of diabetes and HIV in the country. We hope AYUSH will address all these issues in the long term,” he said.

Rehabilitation unit

In this direction, the Government will set up an AYUSH rehabilitation unit for HIV care. “We will take this project forward from Belgaum where the problem is on the rise,” the Minister said.

The Government would also establish an exclusive research and training facility for AYUSH. “We will give impetus to AYUSH industries by introducing subsidy for investments in this sector,” the Minister asserted.

Earlier, speaking to presspersons, the Minister said the AYUSH Gram panchayat project would be implemented in association with various AYUSH institutes. “Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda will inaugurate this project in D.B. Guppe tribal village near Mysore on March 3,” he said.

“A sum of Rs. 10 crore had already been allocated for this project. The idea is to promote yoga, naturopathy and other ISM practices in the rural areas,” the Minister added.

Check-up

More than 1,100 visitors to the Arogya Expo, held as part of the conference, underwent free medical check-up. Those who needed further treatment were referred to top AYUSH hospitals.