The Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the new complex of Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine (RRIUM) in Silchar recently. The institute is the first such centre in the northeast on Unani medicine — a traditional medicinal practice among the AYUSH systems. The new complex spread over an area of 3.5 acres is built with an investment of Rs 48 crore. The complex was developed by the National Projects Construction Corporation (NPCC) and was handed over to the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of AYUSH.
The newly built complex of RRIUM, which will be under CCRUM, will be providing a wide range of patient care services along with conducting scientific research on different aspects, fundamental and applied, of Unani Medicine, and on diseases which are more prevalent in the northeast, especially in Assam. The centre is also equipped to screen patients with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) like cardiac, pulmonary, stroke, cancer and diabetes. With a special focus on children, the centre will also provide health checkups for school children and provide effective treatment to those found to be in distress. The centre also aims to assess temperament of patients with different ailments. The complex of RRIUM is equipped with specialised OPD clinics in general, research, Ilaj-bit-Tadbeer (regimenal), specialised Ilaj-bit-Tadbeer (regimenal) therapies, Mother and Child Health (MCH) and geriatrics.
The institute will provide treatment for the diseases particularly on gastro-intestinal disorders and respiratory disorders or diseases more prevalent in north-east state, which is an area of strength of Unani medicine like IBS and indigestion, skin diseases, arthritis, eczema, diabetes, gout, URTI, hypertension, sciatica and hemorrhoids. The institute will screen for NCDs in the northeast population visiting to the institute. It will also organise IEC campaigns about the potential of Unani medicine and create awareness around prevention and preservation of health about preventive/prophylactic aspect of AYUSH in different communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said, “AYUSH system of medicine has reinvigorated its acceptability among people once again after the proven result has benefitted lakhs of people during the pandemic. The effectiveness of AYUSH system of medicine in enhancing the quality of life of people is a proven fact; that’s why we are working on a medical system, where the best of contemporary medicine can be supplemented with the traditional medicinal practices of AYUSH.”
Adding further, he said, “Unani is one of the most celebrated traditional medicine, not only in India, but in other countries as well. It is a matter of great pride that this state-of-the-art institute on Unani medicine is now functional from Silchar to help people avail effective treatment and regain quality of life. The core belief of the Unani medicine works on the principle that human body has its own self-healing power which needs to be boosted. The major benefit of this medicine is that it addresses the prevention and treatment of diseases by using herbal remedies.”
The RRIUM will also be conducting school health programme, clinical mobile research programme, health camps and fairs to provide treatment to as many as possible. This modern facility is also equipped with a modern pathology laboratory, bio-chemistry laboratory, radiology unit and quality control laboratory. A herbal garden with medicinal plant as well as potential survey are also planned to be developed in the near future.