Funds will be also used to set up fundamental Unani research centre at Hyderabad
Photo: iStock In a first, the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs has granted Rs 45.34 crore to two Unani medicine research and development bodies under the Union Ministry of Ayush to promote the traditional healing system.
The Central Council of Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) and National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM) Bengaluru received Rs 35.52 crore and Rs 9.81 crore respectively to establish and upgrade Unani facilities at Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow, Silchar and Bengaluru.
Unani or Arabian medicine is a holistic system of natural healing and general well-being with roots in ancient Greek doctrines created thousands of years ago. The practice is based on the principle that “a body has its own self-healing power which needs to be boosted”, according to the Ayush ministry.
A significant part of the funds, Rs 16.05 crore, will be used for setting up a fundamental research centre on Unani medicine at National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders, Hyderabad, according to a press note by the Ayush ministry.
It is one of the three popular alternative treatments in India, apart from ayurveda and homoeopathy, the ministry noted.
It added:
Ministry has proposed cost of Rs 8.15 crore for a preclinical laboratory facility at Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine, Chennai, Rs 8.55 crore for a centre of Ilaj bit Tadbeer (regimenal therapy) for musculoskeletal disorders at Central Research Institute of Unani Medicine, Lucknow and Rs 2.75 crore for a centre of Ilaj bit Tadbeer for skin and lifestyle disorders at Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine, Silchar.
Apart from this, NIUM, Bengaluru Rs 5.55 crore for establishing a Vishram Girah (resting place) for patients’ attendants and Rs 4.26 crore for a skill centre of model Unani cosmetic care, a small-scale Unani pharmacy and Unani crude drug storage, according to the press statement.
On March 2, 2023, the minority affairs ministry considered the above proposals and a quarter of the funds allocated to CCRUM has already been released for projects in Chennai, Lucknow and Silchar.
The funds have been granted under the centrally sponsored scheme Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram.
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