Boost For Traditional Medicinal Systems As Cabinet Approves New Commissions For AYUSH Amid Other Reforms

In a boost to supporters of traditional medicinal systems, it was on announced on Friday (December 28) that the Cabinet has approved the setting up of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCIM) Bill, 2018, that provides for conducting overall education of traditional medicine systems of Unani, Siddha, Ayurveda, and Sowa-Rigpa, reports The New Indian Express.

The National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH) Bill, 2018, has also been approved by the Cabinet. The bill proposes setting up a new panel which has been entrusted with conducting an overall education of Homoeopathy.

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the new Bill on Indian system of medicines also proposes conducting a standard entrance exam for practitioners and a separate eligibility test for teachers, while providing information about the Cabinet’s decisions on Thursday (December 27).

“We are committed to enhancing the quality of Indian medicine systems. It is equally important to have value addition in terms of quality, eligibility and a system which produces quality practitioners and teachers,” said the Minister, while providing details of the new bills.

The new NCIM Bill aims to ensure transparency by replacing the existing regulator Central Council for Indian Medicine (CCIM) with a new body.