State urged to open govt-run Ayurvedic medical college in coastal Karnataka

Karnataka has four government Ayurveda medical colleges at Bengaluru, Mysuru, Shivamogga and Ballari. Though former CM Basavaraj Bommai had sanctioned an Ayurveda medical college for Haveri, the work on the hospital is in progress.

Karnataka State Ayurveda Post Graduate Doctors Association has begun a campaign urging the government to establish a state-run Ayurvedic medical college and teaching hospital in coastal Karnataka.

“If the government Ayurveda Medical College and teaching hospital is set up, then it will benefit those who have been depending on Ayurveda system of medicine. If the College is sanctioned, it will come with a 100 bed hospital, which will provide free treatment to the patients,” said Dr Naveen K from the Association to DH.

The association members have been meeting elected representatives, government authorities to impress upon them the need for sanctioning a government Ayurveda college in the coastal belt.

Karnataka has four government Ayurveda medical colleges at Bengaluru, Mysuru, Shivamogga and Ballari. Though Basavaraj Bommai had sanctioned an Ayurveda medical college to Haveri, the work on the hospital is in progress.

In a memorandum submitted to District in Charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, Association President Dr Manjunath Poojary highlighted that Dakshina Kannada already has quality institutions for medical, dental, nursing, and engineering education. The coastal Karnataka region is home to several private and government healthcare institutions practicing modern medicine. However, there is no government Ayurvedic medical college in the area. Since Ayurvedic treatment is popular here, many residents currently depend on Kerala for such healthcare services.”

Further, he had said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, himself has been an ambassador for Yoga and Ayurvedic treatment and encouraged the use of Ayurvedic medicines during the Covid-19 pandemic to boost immunity. Ayurveda, being the Sanathana/traditional medical system of India, holds a special place in the hearts of people in coastal Karnataka. Many people in this region rely on Ayurveda for the treatment of various diseases.

Ayurvedic treatments have proven to be effective for lifestyle disorders such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), asthma, alcoholic liver diseases, skin diseases, PCOD, infertility, arthritis, autoimmune disorders, and computer vision syndrome, without any significant side effects. Despite the popularity and effectiveness of Ayurveda, the people of Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Uttara Kannada districts have to depend on the state of Kerala for affordable Ayurvedic treatment. Similarly, students interested in Ayurvedic medicine in the coastal Karnataka region have to travel to different districts and even different states to receive Ayurvedic medical education, he said.

In fact, Dakshina Kannada district has six private Ayurveda medical colleges while Udupi has three colleges. However, the presence of Government College will benefit the students as well as the people of the region. At a time when the state is planning for a government medical college in each district, they can consider setting up a district ayurveda medical college, felt Dr Naveen.