‘SMART’ (Scope for Mainstreaming Ayurveda Research in Teaching Professionals) initiative is aimed to augment research in healthcare domains in Ayurveda colleges and hospitals. The program was launched today by Vaidya Jayant Deopujari, Chairman, NCISM and Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS in the presence of Prof. B. S. Prasad, President of Board of Ayurveda, NCISM and other senior officials.
Vaidya Jayant Deopujari, Chairman, NCISM (National Commission for Indian System of Medicine) applauded the initiative and opined, “I am confident that this program has the potential to transform clinical research in Ayurveda. It was observed that the research potential of the large community of Ayurveda teachers remains underutilised. Therefore, the ‘SMART’ program will have a deep long term rejuvenating impact on research in the field of Ayurveda and it will be a great service to the nation, I congratulate CCRAS (Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences) for this initiative and ensure all support on behalf of NCISM.”
While highlighting key points of ‘SMART’, Prof. Vaidya Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS said, major thrust areas of research includes Osteoarthritis, Iron Deficiency Anaemia, Chronic Bronchitis, Dyslipidemia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus, Psoriasis, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)”. He also added, “The eligible Ayurveda academic institutions may apply by 10 January, 2023.
Prof. B. S. Prasad, President of Board of Ayurveda, NCISM, said, “The large network of Ayurveda colleges and hospitals across the country is an asset for the country in terms of its healthcare needs. This network has not only been offering healthcare services in hardest times, but it also has contributed significantly in terms of healthcare research in the country. The ‘SMART’ program will certainly motivate teachers for taking up projects in designated areas of healthcare research and create a large database.”
