Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday called upon Unani and Ayurvedic physicians to enrich this branch of medicine using their own talents and knowledge imbued with patriotism.
The Prime Minister was addressing a rally of Unani and Ayurvedic Doctors held at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC).
Chairman of Bangladesh Unani and Ayurvedic Board and Railways Minister Mujibul Haque presided over the conference.
Sheikh Hasina said keeping pace with the modern time, the present government wants to develop the education, healthcare and research on Unani-Ayurvedic medicine aiming to build up a sustainable health infrastructure in the country.
Considering the socioeconomic condition of people, Sheikh Hasina said her government wants to properly implement the plans undertaken to improve allopathic treatment system alongside improving unani-ayurvedic and homeopathic systems.
In this regard, she mentioned that her government would consider if any planning proposal is sent to the Ministry of Health regarding the development of Unani and Ayurvedic Medicine.
Sheikh Hasina said during the previous term of her government, steps were taken to appoint Unani and Ayurvedic physicians to 15 district hospitals of the country apart from incorporating treatment, education and research on these in the national health policy.
Assuming office this time, Sheikh Hasina said, grants have been increased for the Unani and Ayurvedic Board while budget for 19 private diploma colleges has been allocated to improve their infrastructure.
The recruitment process of teachers, officers and staff has started in Sylhet Government Tibbiya College and Dhaka Government Unani and Ayurvedic Medical College, she said.
Besides, the process of recruitment of diploma Hekim and Kobiraj for Upazila Health Complex and Union Clinics is at the final stage, she added.
Terming trees as the main source of Unani and Ayurvedic medicines, the Prime Minister said her government puts emphasis on plantation of medicinal trees alongside planting of fruit and timber trees during the National Tree Plantation Campaign.
Sheikh Hasina said, the soil, climate and environment of Bangladesh are in favour of cultivation of herbal trees.
As a result, the country has a very bright prospect in respect to exporting plenty of herbal trees and medicines to foreign countries alongside meeting the domestic demands.
The Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Forest and Environment, Agriculture Ministry and Ministry of Health are working together to this end, she said.
Traditional medicines are highly popular in South Asian countries, including Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, China and Bhutan, the premier said, adding that this popularity is expanding to the developed nations these days.
The Prime Minister said dependence on herbal treatment has never ended for ever though it has reduced following the invention of modern medicines.
Rather, many rural people are still depending on herbal treatment as primary aid, she said.
Highlighting the contributions of Muslim scholars in Unani medicine, Sheikh Hasina said their devotion, research and practice of acquiring knowledge have enriched the Unani medicine.
The Prime Minister also elaborated her government’s various measures for the development health, power, education and communication sectors.
She called upon all, including Unani and Ayurvedic physicians, to work together for establishing poverty and hunger-free Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Health and Family Welfare Minister AFM Ruhal Haque and State Minister for Law, Judiciary and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Qamrul Islam also spoke on the occasion.
President of Bangladesh Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers’ Association AFM Fakhrul Islam Munshi, Member of Bangladesh Board of Unani and Ayurvedic Systems of Medicine Dr Hakim Md Yusuf Harun Bhuiyan and President of Bangladesh Unani Medicine Industries Association Sayeed Ahmed Siddiqui also spoke in the rally.
Source: UNBConnect
