Imphal, Dec. 6 (EMN): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh along with Union Minister of State for Ayush (independent charge) Shripad Yesso Naik and Health Minister L Jayentakumar on Thursday inaugurated four-day Arogya fair in Imphal.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that Manipur has around 500 medical and aromatic plants out of which 10,000 identified such plants were found in different parts of the world.
Singh informed that he had discussed with the Union minister about providing alternative livelihood through plantation of medicinal plants for the villagers who are planting poppy and cannabis. In respond, he said the Union minister asked the state government to submit a project report to the Ministry for approval.
Speaking on human resource potential of the state, the chief minister also informed that a team of Japanese corporate executives on Wednesday called on him and sought nursing manpower to work in different hospitals in Japan.
The visiting Union minister said that his ministry is ready to extend all possible support to large scale plantation of medicinal plants. He mentioned that the centre had approved setting up 50-bedded hospitals in the state.
A 10-bedded Yoga and Naturopathy Hospital was inaugurated at Kwakeithel Konjeng Leikai in Imphal west district on Thursday.
The Union minister also informed that Ministry of Ayush had approved setting up of a new homeopathic college at Keirao in Imphal east district. The college will have a homeopathy pharmacy and a drug testing laboratory, he said.
L Jayantakumar who presided over the function said that Ayush is a very unique system of health care and it can effectively supplement the allopathic system in providing health care to people. “Apparently, promotion of AYUSH was done for namesake in the past. However, the new Government is very keen and committed in propagating this unique system of health care,” he added.
