Tata for blend of traditional medicine and scientific approach

Bangalore, Mar 17 (PTI) Leading industrialist Ratan Tata today suggested exploring the possibility of expanding the frontiers of medical treatment through the possible "fusion or integration of Ayurvedic medicine and its strong tradition and Western medicine and its scientific approach."
Speaking at the launch of the Institute of Ayurveda and Integratieve Medicine (IAIM) and the new 100-bed Intergrative Health Care Centre (IHC), that is wholly supported by the Tata Trusts, the Chairman of the Tata Group lauded the role played by traditional Indian medicine.
He said Ayurveda had played a phenomenal role in betterment of mankind but the traditional medicine had been overtaken by the strides made by Western medicine.
There was a general perception that traditional medicine is witch doctor''s medicine and there were several questions on how it works and even whether it works, he said.
But in India, Ayurvedic medicine has had a very rich tradition which most were unaware of, he said.
"I think those of us who have an open mind realise that if there could be a fusion or integration of Ayurvedic medicine and its strong tradition and western medicine and scientific approach to understand the efficacy and content of ayurvedic medicine, then may be treatment of some diseases.. the early detection of those ailments might all go to a new phase where treatment of these may be much better established."
"I think it is the role of institutes like this to propagate this in a scientific manner and take it beyond the shores of India", he said.
Lauding the institute for its pioneering effort in the direction, he said "I hope the next 20 years will be a tribute to what you have started."
"It will also be a tribute to scientists who have put India on the international map in an area that is rich in Indian tradition--no adaptation, no compromise--but a fusion of traditional with scientific advances of western medicine. This will truly be taking away the boundaries of medical treatment"
Sam Pitroda, Founder Chairman of Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, said that in India everyone was focussed on the western model of big hospitals, big equipment five star hotel environment.
"That model is not scalable, perhaps desirable or sustainable in the long run. So, we have to find new models of health delivery and that is where traditional Indian model comes in", he said.
He recalled how his mother had delivered 8 children at home at zero cost sans electricity, no medical doctors and pharmacy. She delivered all eight mentally healthy babies.
"They must have done something, they must have done something right and what is it, we need to look at it".