The Ministry of AYUSH has been biased towards Unani Medicine; many AYUSH schemes are primarily focused on Ayurveda: Professor Mushtaq Ahmad
Azamgarh, July 31: The All India Unani Tibbi Congress (Uttar Pradesh) in collaboration with the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) hosted a national convention for Unani doctors titled “Promotion of Unani Medicine” at the Shibli Academy here today. The convention was presided over by Professor Mushtaq Ahmad, Head Chair of Unani Medicine at the University of Cape Town (South Africa) and national president of the organizing body.
In his presidential address, Professor Mushtaq Ahmad encouraged the participating Unani doctors to specialize and excel in their areas of interest.
He criticized the Ministry of AYUSH and the Government of India for their biased performance, highlighting that many AYUSH schemes are primarily focused on Ayurveda. He cited the example of the AYUSH Aahar scheme, which began as a broad initiative but was later renamed to Ayurveda Aahar, excluding other traditional medicine systems like Unani and Homeopathy.
Professor Ahmad pointed out that integrated medicine departments in government hospitals, such as Safdarjung Hospital and AIIMS, only include Ayurveda, despite the popularity and efficacy of Unani and Homeopathy across the country. He announced that a delegation would soon meet with the Union Minister of AYUSH to present their demands.
Professor S.M. Arif Zaidi, former Dean of the Faculty of Unani Medicine at Jamia Hamdard, emphasized the importance of using all available techniques for surgery and other medical procedures, regardless of their origin. He stressed that the advancement of Unani medicine requires high-quality medicines and modern technology.
Professor Muhammad Mazhar Alam, a member of the NCISM’s Board of Ethics and Registration, elaborated on the activities of the NCISM and the benefits of central registration.
Professor Nafasat Ali Ansari, former Principal of Takmeel-ut-Tib College, Lucknow, delivered a concise yet comprehensive speech, urging the development of academic capabilities to strengthen and benefit Unani medicine.
Professor Saud Ali Khan, former Principal of Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College at Aligarh Muslim University, expressed pride in his students’ contributions to Unani medicine, both at Rajasthan Unani Medical College and AMU, and their involvement with the All India Unani Tibbi Congress.
Dr. Mohammad Ajmal, Principal of Ibn Sina Tibbiya College, Binapara, advocated for the need to join and strengthen the All India Unani Tibbi Congress, calling it essential in today’s times. Dr. Husain Ahmad, former Director of Unani Medicine, Government of Rajasthan, recalled the efforts made during their student years to prevent Rajasthan from adopting practices seen in Gujarat, crediting the support of their colleagues.
The Secretary-General of the All India Unani Tibbi Congress, Dr. Syed Ahmad Khan, welcomed the attendees and acknowledged the contributions of notable figures from Azamgarh, including Dr. A.U. Azmi, Professor Syed Ishtiaq Ahmad, Professor Altaf Ahmad Azmi, Professor F.R. Sharar Misbahi, Dr. Khurshid Ahmad Shafqat Azmi, and Dr. Wasim Ahmad Azmi.
Dr. S.M. Ahsan Ejaz, President of the All India Unani Tibbi Congress (Uttar Pradesh), motivated Unani practitioners to uphold their responsibilities and counter plans to marginalize Unani medicine by the central AYUSH department.
The event also featured speeches by Dr. Mohammad Shujauddin, Dr. Ihsan Ahmad Siddiqui, Dr. Aqeel Ahmad, Dr. Faizan Ahmad Siddiqui, Dr. T.U. Siddiqui, Dr. Furqan Ahmad, Dr. Zeeshan Ahmad Siddiqui, Dr. Aizaz Ali Qadri, Dr. Mohammad Rashid Allahabadi, and Dr. Abdul Salam Khan, among others.
The convention was attended by prominent figures including Dr. Parwaz Uloom Azmi, Advocate Dr. Lal Bahadur, Dr. S.M. Yaqoob, Dr. Mohammad Owais Hasan, Dr. Ehtesham Ali, Dr. Shakeel Ahmad, Dr. Ahmad Jamal Misbahi, Dr. Soni Siddiqui, Dr. Laiq Ali Khan, Dr. S.K.L. Hameeduddin, Dr. Mohammad Aslam Alig, Dr. Mohammad Farooq Jalalpuri, Hakim Rashadul Islam, Dr. Zainul Abideen, Dr. Aslam Sultan, Dr. Mohammad Iqbal, Dr. Abdul Majeed Qasmi Alig, Dr. Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, Dr. Mohammad Aizaz Khan, Dr. Ansar Ahmad, Dr. Mubarak Khan, Dr. Akmal Alvi, Dr. Aslam Sultan, Israr Ahmad Ujini, Mohammad Imran Kannauji, Dr. Abdul Wajood Khan, Dr. Afzal Ahmad, Dr. Naushad Ahmad Gorakhpuri, Dr. Allah Nawaz Sultanpuri, Hakim Aftab Alam, Dr. Sharfuddin Azmi, Hakim Murtaza Dehlavi, Dr. Mohammad Arif Seifi, and Dr. Mohammad Nizamuddin Khan.
The program commenced with a recitation of the Quran by Dr. Khabib Ahmad, while Dr. Afroz Talib efficiently managed the proceedings. Dr. Aqeel Ahmad, the program convener, extended a vote of thanks to all participants.
