Ayush aims to open new avenues with ‘SMART’ initiative for quality research in Ayurveda

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Ayush, the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) established the “SMART” initiative to mainstream ayurvedic research among teaching professionals. The programme utilises ayurvedic colleges and hospitals to advance scientific research in healthcare-related fields.

In the presence of the NCISM president, board of ayurveda, BS Prasad, and other senior authorities, the programme was introduced by the NCISM chairman, Vaidya Jayant Deopujari, and the director general of CCRAS, Rabinarayan Acharya. Until January 10, 2023, eligible institutions may apply for the SMART programme. Through NCISM, the ministry informed all accredited academic institutions and hospitals of the eligibility requirements and the application process.

The SMART program’s main goal is to find, support, and promote creative research proposals in the fields of healthcare research, including, but not limited to, obesity, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic bronchitis, dyslipidemia, psoriasis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), osteoarthritis, iron deficiency anaemia, chronic bronchitis, dyslipidemia, and dyslipidemia.

NCISM Chairman Vaidya Jayant Deopujari said this about the initiative: “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 under utilised mostly. 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 for this initiative and ensure all support on behalf of NCISM.”

BS Prasad, head of the board of ayurveda at NCISM, commented on the SMART initiative, saying: “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.”