All state governments urged to ensure sustained promotion, expansion and institutional strengthening of Unani medicine
KOLKATA/NEW DELHI — The long-standing “neglect” and “step-motherly” treatment towards Unani medicine by the West Bengal government came under sharp criticism at UNICON-45, a seminar titled “The Position of Unani Medicine in AYUSH”, organised by the All India Unani Tibbi Congress (AIUTC) here on Sunday.
In his presidential address, Dr Shyam Sunder Kundu said that Unani medicine is today being viewed with appreciation and renewed hope, both in India and abroad. He described it as a matter of satisfaction that, under a recent historic agreement between the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, and the Ministry of Health, Government of Afghanistan, it has been decided to establish a Unani Medical Research Centre in Afghanistan, opening a new chapter in Unani education and research. He termed the initiative by both governments as commendable and forward-looking.
At the same time, Dr Kundu expressed serious concern over the official discrimination faced by Unani medicine in several Indian states, with West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Assam and Gujarat at the forefront. He said that in some states Unani medicine has already been reduced to a zero position, while in others it is rapidly heading towards extinction due to policy apathy. He appealed to all state governments, particularly the West Bengal government, to ensure the sustained promotion, expansion and institutional strengthening of Unani medicine.
Delivering the welcome address, Dr Syed Ahmad Khan, Secretary General of AIUTC, described the attitude of state governments towards Unani medicine as deeply distressing. Referring specifically to West Bengal, he pointed out that no new appointments of Unani doctors have been made since 1998, reflecting prolonged neglect. At present, the state has only three government-run Unani dispensaries, whereas the number should have exceeded 30 considering the population and healthcare needs.
While appreciating the West Bengal government’s developmental work in other sectors, Dr Khan questioned why Unani medicine continues to be ignored, unlike Ayurveda and Homoeopathy, which receive regular appointments, institutional backing and policy attention. He demanded parity in recruitment, infrastructure and funding for Unani doctors.
Prof Mohammad Ayoob Qasmi said that no system of medicine can progress without government patronage. He remarked that the Calcutta Unani Medical College is barely surviving, adding that no new Unani dispensary has been opened in West Bengal since 1996. He said the government’s vision for the development of Unani medicine remains elusive and urged it to abandon its stepmotherly approach and extend wholehearted support to Unani institutions.
Special guest, Dr Sikandar Hayat Siddiqui, former Director, Unani, Government of Uttar Pradesh, called upon practitioners to utilise their abilities with sincerity and commitment. He said that the status and recognition Unani medicine has given its practitioners should inspire them to give back and work dedicatedly for its advancement.
Sheikh Mohammad Ayaz-ul-Haq, Member of the TMC State Core Committee, acknowledged that within the AYUSH framework, Unani medicine is in a much poorer condition compared to Ayurveda and Homoeopathy. He assured that a Government Unani Medical College would be established in West Bengal and said all demands raised at the seminar would be placed before Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He added that the chief minister has not rejected any demand made in the public interest so far, while expressing regret that these issues had reached the government rather late.
Dr Syed Mohammad Shahabuddin Haider, Member of the Urdu Academy, West Bengal, and Acting President of Islamia Hospital, Kolkata, also addressed the gathering and assured full cooperation for the promotion of Unani medicine in the state.
Highlighting the national scenario, Dr Rahmatullah Rahmani, Chief Medical Officer (Unani), CGHS, said that there are only 12 CGHS Unani dispensaries across India, despite the requirement of at least one such dispensary in every state capital. He demanded that the Central Government take urgent and serious steps to address this imbalance.
Several other speakers, including Dr Syed Imtiaz Hussain Jilani, Prof Naeem Anis, Dr Asadullah, Dr Safdar Ismail, Israr Ahmad Ujjaini, Dr Badrul Islam Kairanvi, Dr Shahabuddin, Dr Qaiser Aziz Hashmi, Dr Nizamuddin, and Dr Shakeel Ahmad, also spoke, echoing concerns over the persistent neglect of Unani medicine.
A large number of participants from various West Bengal districts, as well as from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and other states attended the programme, collectively demanding an end to the step-motherly treatment of Unani medicine and calling for policy parity and institutional support in West Bengal.
Dr Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, National Secretary of AIUTC, proposed a vote of thanks.
