Govt to make law on Tibb-e-Unani, says minister

LAHORE

State Minister for National Health Services Regulation and Coordination Saira Afzal Tarar has said the government will make legislation about Tibb-e-Unani as it is important for people's health.

Presiding over a seminar on “Survival of Tibb-e-Unani and implementation of new laws” jointly organised by Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Memorial Society (Jang Group of Newspapers) and Islamic Unani Medical College, here in Lahore, she said "we have listed the conversation of Tibb Council, we will sit together and resolve the issues amicably. 

She said Tibb-e-Unani is a centuries old system of medical treatment. Around 85 percent people are dependent on it.

It is being practiced in China. Situation of medical colleges is worse, she said, adding that students who get degrees from foreign universities are unable to clear the test conducted in Pakistan.

Chief Guest Minister for Specialised Healthcare Punjab Khawaja Imran Nazir, Guest of Honour Secretary Primary and Secondary Health Punjab Ali Jan Khan, Executive Director Punjab Healthcare Commission Dr Riaz Tasneem, Director HIOEC Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan Abdus Sammad Khan, President National Council for Tibb, Chairman Manufacturing Wing Wafaq Utba Pakistan Hakeem Irfan Ullah, Chairman department of medicine Hamdard University, Karachi, Hakeem Asif Iqbal, AMMAG Chairman Salman Ansari, Hamdard Dawakhana Association, Kasur, Hakeem Ghulam Mustafa, Gong ZhiMei from China participated in the event.

Khawaja Imran Nazir said Tibb cannot be ignored. The Punjab government will resolve the issues of Tibb. It is thought that the government wanted to end Tibb but it would be impossible for anyone to end Tibb, he said, adding that he himself used medicines of Hakeems. It is misconception that the government is against Tibb.

he said a crackdown on traders of adulterated, fake and substandard medicines  had been started as there would be no compromise on quality of medicines.

Ali Jan Khan said framework of Tibb-e-Unani should be focused on.

Posts of Hakeems have been created in Tehsil Headquarters hospitals and District Headquarters hospitals, so that they could get jobs. Traditional method of treatments should be regulated.Abdus Sammad said the government was committed to resolve health issues; around 90 percent clarity had been observed.

Moreover, Tibb Council acknowledged that forms should be in Urdu language. All the forms have been sent to be translated in Urdu. After checking, answers of all questions will be displayed on website, he added. 

Hakeem Sajjad said the situation would have been different had the government taken practical steps before issuing policy in 2003.

Through this policy, regulatory ministry had taken few steps for the betterment. He demanded the government to patronise the industry, units be upgraded and the government support them. 

Hakem Irfan Ullah said suggestions given by Hakeems should be incorporated in legislation.

A committee comprising Hakeem and DRAP be established to address the issues as Tibb-e-Unani is the mother of medicines. The persons related to industry be given time to meet standards of DRAP and the enlisted institutions be given proper training, he demanded.

Senior Editor, Health, Education and Current Affairs Wasif Nagi said Tibb-e-Unani is in practice in many countries.