Mangaluru : The 100-bed Sharada Ayurveda Hospital in Devinagar near Talapady inaugurated on Sunday, July 1.

Union Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik and Pejwar Mutt seer Vishwesha Thirta inaugurated the hospital.

Speaking after Inaguration Yesso Naik said, making National Eligibility-cum Entrance Test (NEET) compulsory for admission to Indian System of Medicine courses is part of the steps being taken by the AYUSH Department to upgrade education in Ayurveda, Unani, Sidda and Homoeopathy.

Mr. Naik said that the AYUSH Department wants meritorious students to study the courses related to Indian System of Medicine. Hence, a direction was issued by the Ministry of AYUSH to all States to make NEET compulsory for admissions to courses from 2018-19.

Mr. Naik said that his Ministry will support States in opening units of AYUSH at primary health centres and urban health centres. The Ministry was working on opening more number of integrated treatment centres where treatment will be made available under the Allopathy and Indian systems of medicine.

Minister for Urban Development and Housing U.T. Khader said that Indian System of Medicine, which is closer to nature, had been neglected.

The situation has changed now and there was more demand for doctors practising Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani, Sidda and Naturopathy. Mr. Khader asked Mr. Naik to help the State in opening more number of colleges teaching these courses.

M.B Puranik , Pradeep Kumar Kalkura and others were present