Boost for Ayurvedic medicine in East

P. M. K. Rahumathullah Alaiyadivembu Group Corr.

ADDALAICHENAI: "The Government has commenced a large number of programmes to revive ayurvedic medicine.

Therefore, its not only the duty of the Department of Indigenous Medicine and the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine, but, everyone of us to promote and protect Ayurvedic medicine," said Water Supply and Drainage Minister A. L. M. Athaullah at the opening of a ward at the Addalaichenai Ayurvedic Central Dispensary.

He said the Addalaichenai Ayurvedic dispensary has been upgraded to the status of a Rural Hospital due to the hard work and dedicated services of Dr. (Mrs.) I. Tharmarajah, the Provincial Director of Indigenous Medicine (East).

Minister Athaullah said the Government intends developing all the hospitals along the coastal belt in the Ampara district. Special emphasis would be made to develop the Akkaraipattu Base Hospital as health is wealth.

Provincial Director of Indigenous Medicine Dr. (Mrs) I. Tharmarajah said that the Government is spending massive amounts of money to develop ayurvedic medicine. She said the affluent spend a lot of money to go to private hospitals, eventhough, we can provide them the best through ayurvedic medicine.

We are capable of catering to all their heeds at this hospital. She said the Government plans to recruit more ayurvedic doctors as there are 282 vacancies islandwide. It is planned to open new ayurvedic central dispensaries at Akkaraipattu, Oluvil and Nintavur to cater to the needs of the growing numbers seeking ayurvedic treatment.