State to launch AYUSH department today

Thiruvananthapuram: With an aim to give a boost to traditional systems of medicines and incorporate them in the prevention and treatment of diseases, Kerala government will launch its AYUSH Department here Wednesday.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will launch the department and lay the foundation stone of the Ayush Bhavan.

Speaker N Sakthan would release the 'Vision-Mission,' a health department release said here.

The proposed department, designed on the model of the Centre's AYUSH Department, is envisaged to focus on treatment, research and education in Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy.

Health Minister V S Sivakumar said the department would help give equal importance to allopathy and AYUSH systems in treatment.

"The AYUSH department can ensure better treatment facilities in remote areas and create an environ to help them lead a healthy life," he said.

Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan, ministers K M Mani, P K Kunjalikutty, Ramesh Chennithala and Shashi Tharoor, MP, will be among the participants, the release added.