SOLAN: Prem Kumar Dhumal, Himachal Pardesh Chief Minister said that State Government would plan to launch 'Anemia Free Himachal' campaign to eradicate anemia from the State in order to build a healthy society.

He was addressing the media persons at Solan Monday.

Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of the 20-bedded self contained Ayurveda Hospital on Solan Bye-Pass, estimated to cost Rs. 3.58 crore and equipped with 'Panchkarma' and allied ayurvedic treatment facilities.

He said that the trend was shifting from allopathy and other modes of treatment to ayurvedic system of medicines as they were safe and had no side effects. He said that the people from all over the world over had shown interest towards the safe ayurvedic system of treatment and a large number of foreigners were also visiting the country to take benefit of the ancient system of medicine.

Chief Minister said that anemia, the loss of blood in body had been reported as the main cause of various ailments. He said that State Government would be considering to carry out a survey to identify the people suffering from anemia and bring them under the fold of the campaign to start their treatment for the same so that immunity system was strengthened, which would prevent them from the attack of a number of ailments.

He said that modalities were being chalked out to start the survey work so that it would be carried out as a campaign in the entire State and factual position could be obtained so that remedial measures were adopted to treat the people suffering from anemia. He added that Ayurvedic system had cure for a number of ailments which in others disciplines had no cure at the moment.

Dhumal said that during his earlier term of 1998 to 2003, the number of ayurvedic health institutions had been increased from 964 to 1118 and budget had increased from Rs. 26.68 crore to Rs. 55.45 crore besides 1525 professionals were recruited in different capacities to strengthen the ayurvedic system of medicine in the State.

He said that 85 ayurvedic doctors were being recruited very soon to further strengthen the infrastructure in the State. He added that a provision of Rs. 87.77 crore had been made for promotion of Ayurveda during current financial year. He said that taking advantage of the congenial geo-physical conditions and healthy climate of the State, the Ayurveda system was bound to emerge as a source to give boost to health tourism in the State for which required infrastructure was being created.

Chief Minister said that the VMRT would consist of a modern medical college, a nursing college and self contained in all respects. He said that the institution would be instrumental in imparting quality medical education to the students who could explore greater horizons in their career. He hoped that the new joint venture would emerge as a milestone in the quality health infrastructure network in the State.