The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Towards a holistic health care approach

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 20, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Towards a holistic health care approach

Staff Reporter

Modern, traditional medicine come together at SRMC

CHENNAI: Modern and traditional medicine are coming together at Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Hospital (SRMC), Porur, near here, in an attempt at replicating the health rejuvenation programmes offered in Kerala.

The SRMC and Cholayil Sanjeevanam, a holistic indigenous health centre, have tied up to provide health care.

The effort combines the twin purposes of patient care and research. The centre would provide therapies in Ayurveda, Naturopathy and Yoga.

The Sri Ramachandra Cholayil Sanjeevanam will be launched on Monday at SRMC premises and T.K. Parthasarathy, pro-chancellor of SRMC will inaugurate the centre.

Addressing press persons on Saturday, S. Thanikachalam, chairman and director of Cardio Care Centre, SRMC, said the idea behind the venture was to provide several choices of both allopathy and traditional medical systems to the patients. Patients can either choose between allopathy and alternate medical system or the doctors at SRMC would refer the patients to alternate medical practitioners.

Fund crunch

Though the traditional medical system, including Ayurveda and Siddha, have been globally accepted, it is still plagued with financial crisis and lack of research in India, he said.

However, the Drug and Pharmaceutical Department of the Central Government has started a separate cellwith emphasis on alternative medicine.

A.V. Anoop, director of Cholayil Sanjeevanam, said the centre was launched in the city last year for treating problems such as arthritis, cancer and obesity.

The Cholayil, makers of Medimix Ayurvedic bath soap, also plan to establish Ayurvedic colleges and training centres.

Dr. Thanikachalam said a research cell to conduct research on plants for its utility value in Diabetes was launched last month.SRMC has joined hands with the Banaras University, the Union Science and Technology Department and Malaysia-based Rumi Herbals.

The hospital, which was funded by the Science and Technology department with Rs. 1.15 crores, has identified a herbal plant and is involved in developing it into a molecule for production of drug.

Ayurveda cell

The hospital also plans to open an Ayurveda cell aided by Ayush, a Union Government department, which has allotted Rs. 150 crores to encourage indigenous medicine research.

Radha Venkatachalam, chief executive director, SRMC, and V.P. Sidhan, chairman, Cholayil Group of Companies, were present.

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