A weeklong Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme on “Modern aspects in the preparation and validation of Traditional Medicines”, for AYUSH Scientists/Teachers, has commenced today at CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu which is sponsored by Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. A total of 30 participants across the country have registered for this programme, which aims to integrate the traditional medicines with the modern medicines besides fostering academic collaboration, knowledge sharing among the medical and scientific fraternities.

Dr. N. Zaheer Ahmed, Director General, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), Ministry of AYUSH, GoI was the Chief Guest and Dr. Subarna Roy, Director, ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine (NITM), Belagavi, Karnataka was the Guest of Honour, during the inaugural event. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Zaheer, mentioned that CCRUM is engaged in multifaceted research in Unani medicine. He also focused on 5 mantras i.e. innovation, collaboration, integration, publication and commercialization for the validation of traditional medicines. Dr. Subarna Roy urged the participants to connect traditional medicines with modern medicines by identification of novel formulations for research. He also mentioned that solutions should be worked out for the challenges in the traditional system of medicine for global acceptance.

Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM while speaking on the occasion emphasized the institute’s ongoing commitment to advancing integrative medicine and fostering a collaborative ecosystem between science and clinical practice. Further, Dr. Ahmed said, “CME Programme underscores the CSIR-IIIM vision to bridge the gap between India’s rich traditional knowledge system and the modern scientific research” and added that India is bestowed with rich natural resources and by modernization of our traditional medicines will not only contribute to improve the healthcare system and but would enable to position the indigenously developed products into the global market.

Earlier, Dr. Vikash Babu, Principal Scientist/ Coordinator, CME, welcomed the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, other various dignitaries and participants for this event and also briefed about the programme. Among others were also present Er. Abdul Rahim, Chief Scientist & Head, RMBD&IST, Dr. Asha Chaubey, Senior Principal Scientist & Head, Fermentation and Microbial Technology, Dr. Dhiraj Vyas, Senior Principal Scientist & Head, Plant Sciences & Agrotechnology, Dr. Sumit Gandhi, Senior Principal Scientist & Head, Infectious Diseases, Dr. Naveed Qazi, Senior Principal Scientist & Head, Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry, Dr. Rajkishore Rai, Senior Scientist & Head, Quality Management and Instrumentation.