Minister for Health and Family Welfare U.T. Khader said here on Sunday that the State government will open an AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) university next year.
It is likely to come up in Shimoga but the venue might change, he told presspersons.
Mr. Khader said that it required at least 100 acres for the university and the government might get the land in Shimoga.
In addition to academic activities, the university would conduct research and development.
Mr. Khader said that the government has begun issuing bio-metric cards to AYUSH doctors in the State. It would help in identifying them and keeping away quacks.
He said that unless Ayurveda doctors stopped prescribing allopathy medicines, ayurveda would not grow. “Ayurveda doctors should practice Ayurveda only,” he said.
Chewing tobacco banHe reiterated that the Health Department has decided to ban chewing tobacco as the World Health Organisation has warned that India was emerging as the capital of oral cancer. A proposal was pending before the government. It was yet to be placed before the Cabinet for its decision.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would take a final decision. “It may be a matter of time. It may be implemented soon,” he said.
The Minister said that the Health Department has decided to ban sale of loose cigarettes. Instead, it has proposed that the government issue on order for selling only packed cigarettes. As packed cigarettes were costly, it might discourage youth to purchase them.
He reiterated that there was no proposal to ban arecanut or arecanut products.
