Shillong: Meghalaya government sought financial assistance from the Centre for setting up of AYUSH Directorate in the state to promote alternative medicines.

The goverment also asked the Centre for reservation of at least 18 seats for local indigenous students at the North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy (NEIAH) which was officially inaugurated.

"It (directorate) will also help in improving the quality of teachers of various AYUSH systems, ensuring affordable AYUSH services and drugs which are safe...", Health Minister Roshan Warjri said at the inaugural address of the NEIAH held at Mawdiangdiang.

The Minister also sought assistance to implement the various projects taken up by Meghalaya State Medicinal Plants Board (MSMPB), which according to her will only promote alternative medicines.

The Board currently handles matters related to policy formulation, coordination of various agencies dealing with medicinal plants, local health traditions, sustained availability of medicinal plants, validation and certification issues and conservation and preservation of medicinal plants in the state.

The Health Minister also asked the Centre to consider and reserve a minimum of 18 seats (9 homeopathy and 9 ayurveda) out of 100 seat, on par with seats allotted by NEIGHRIMS for the MBBS to local indigenous population in Meghalaya.

"This will help overcome the language barrier and make the people fully understand and accept the significance of AYUSH system of treatment," she said.

Stating that in the last two decades the alternative system of medicines and treatments have gained popularity to a great extent particularly in homoeopathy, ayurvedic and yoga and naturopathy.

"However, in absence of an AYUSH medical institute and college in the state the students have been deprived of the facility to pursue this line of study, since the state quota has very limited seats".

The Minister also submitted a memorandum to the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) AYUSH, Shripad Yessa Naik during the inauguration of NEIAH.

Among other proposals of the state government includes approval for setting up of 50 bedded AYUSH hospitals and wellness centres in all the 11 districts in the state.