Question : Siddha System

Will the Minister of AYURVEDA, YOGA AND NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Siddha system of medicine is popular in foreign countries and if so, the details thereof indicating the names of the countries where Siddha system of medicine or similar system is practiced;

(b) the details regarding cooperation and coordination with these countries in the field of Research and Development in the Siddha system of medicine; and

(c) the steps taken by the Government to popularise the Siddha system of medicine in the country?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA,
YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY
(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)
(a): Yes. Siddha System of Medicine is practised in foreign countries like Sri Lanka and Malaysia where there is a sizeable Tamil population. In Malaysia, the Government regulates Siddha practice under Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM). Undergraduate courses in Siddha are being imparted in Sri Lanka by University of Jaffna having a Siddha department and also by Trincomalee Campus affiliated to Eastern University. The services of Siddha system are provided in Siddha hospitals and dispensaries in different provinces of Sri Lanka.

(b): The Ministry of AYUSYH has signed Country to Country Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Malaysia for Cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine including Siddha. A Siddha expert has been deputed to Malaysia under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)

Contd…….

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Ministry of AYUSH under its Scholarship scheme offers scholarships to eligible foreign nationals to pursue undergraduate (UG) and post graduate (PG) courses in AYUSH systems including Siddha in AYUSH institutes in India.

(c): Ministry of AYUSH has set up National Institute of Siddha (NIS) and Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) for imparting Siddha education and for undertaking research activities in Siddha system of Medicine respectively. Under the Central Sector Scheme of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) of the Ministry of AYUSH, various promotional activities are undertaken for propagation and promotion of AYUSH Systems of Medicine including Siddha all over the country. Under National AYUSH Mission (NAM), funds have been provided to the states of Tamil nadu and Puducherry for establishing AYUSH (including Siddha) Wellness Centres and 50 bedded hospitals.

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