Traditional medicine should be promoted

The Statesman, Oct 28, 2008

BHAWANIPATNA, Oct. 27: The first district level Vaidya conference organised by the district co-ordination committee of Vaidyas along with Sambandh, an NGO, was held in Dangarmurli village here yesterday. More than 250 vaidyas from different parts of the district participated in the conference.
The participants expressed disappointment that the traditional medicine system being practiced by vaidyas is not given as much importance as conventional medical practices. “Although about 500 vaidyas in the district render health services to many patients here the state government does not take any steps to encourage this traditional medicine system,” said a participant. “Because of this negligence, many rare herbal medicinal plants are gradually being depleted and need to be protected so as to regenerate them else they will become extinct,” he said.
Participants at the conference demanded government recognition to the vaidyas, documentation of medicinal plants available in the state and maintenance of records of the method of treatment used by practitioners in the district by government and non government organisations for the reference of future generations. The participants also demanded for the establishment of medicinal plant gardens and stores, creation of public awareness towards traditional medicines and steps to popularise this method of treatment. “Unless timely steps are taken this traditional knowledge may be lost forever,” said another participant. Mr Biswanath Hota was accorded the title of Vanaushodhi Pandit, Jagabandhu Muni was accorded the title of Vaidya Ratna, Mr Patayat Sahu was accorded the title of Vanaushadhi Pravina and Mr Pabitra Sabar was accorded the title of Vaidya Shree.