Jammu & Kashmir celebrated Unani Day 2025 with great enthusiasm, reaffirming its commitment to integrating traditional medicine into modern healthcare. Experts and officials gathered to highlight the growing impact of Unani practices in public health.
By Arshid Dar
The Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir marked Unani Day 2025 with great enthusiasm, commemorating the birth anniversary of Hakim Ajmal Khan, a distinguished pioneer in Unani medicine. The event underscored the continued relevance of this ancient healing system in modern healthcare and served as a platform to celebrate advancements in the field.
The main function took place at the Government Dental College in Srinagar, drawing an esteemed gathering of scholars, practitioners, students, and government officials. The event emphasized the growing recognition of Unani medicine as an integral component of the region’s healthcare infrastructure and its increasing role in preventive and holistic medicine.
Nasir Aslam Wani, Advisor to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of J&K, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. In his keynote address, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to mainstreaming Unani medicine, aligning it with broader public health initiatives. He highlighted the progressive policies undertaken under the dynamic leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of J&K, Jinab Omar Abdullah, to enhance the Ayush sector. These initiatives include the expansion of Ayush Health & Wellness Centres, significant upgrades in Ayush medical education and research, and large-scale cultivation of medicinal plants in collaboration with local farmers.
“The Government of Jammu & Kashmir is dedicated to positioning Unani medicine as a cornerstone of our public healthcare system. Through strategic investments in infrastructure, research, and industry partnerships, we aim to establish J&K as a leading hub in the Ayush sector, benefiting both residents and medical tourists alike,” stated Nasir Aslam Wani.
Dr. Nuzhat Bashir Shah, the newly appointed Director of Ayush, J&K, delivered a speech honoring the legacy of Hakim Ajmal Khan. She praised his unparalleled contributions to Unani medicine and his visionary approach in modernizing traditional healing systems. Dr. Bashir emphasized the need to preserve and advance this rich heritage to meet contemporary health challenges and integrate Unani practices with modern medical science.
In her address, Dr. Bashir also expressed heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Sakina Itoo, Hon’ble Minister for Health and Medical Education, School Education, Higher Education, and Social Welfare, for her steadfast support and leadership in advancing the Ayush sector in J&K. She acknowledged the Minister’s pivotal role in promoting traditional healthcare systems and integrating them into the region’s broader medical framework.
Furthermore, Dr. Bashir extended her appreciation to Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary to the Government, Health & Medical Education Department, for his tireless efforts in strengthening healthcare services across J&K. She lauded his commitment to enhancing the quality and accessibility of medical education and services, which has significantly contributed to the growth of the Ayush sector.
Dr. Sujad Hussain Shuja, Assistant Director (Unani), Directorate of Ayush, J&K, provided a comprehensive overview of the sector’s recent achievements. He outlined the successful integration of Unani practices into public health programs, advancements in research, and the establishment of new healthcare facilities dedicated to Unani medicine. His address highlighted the tangible progress made in embedding Unani principles into preventive healthcare and lifestyle disease management.
The Directorate of Ayush, J&K, has made remarkable strides in promoting traditional medicine systems, operationalizing numerous Ayush Health & Wellness Centres across the Union Territory. These centers offer integrative healthcare services that merge Unani treatments with contemporary medical approaches. Significant investments have been channeled into upgrading existing Ayush healthcare facilities and establishing new ones to ensure accessibility to quality Unani medical services. Additionally, the Directorate has focused on enhancing Unani medical education by modernizing institutions, fostering research collaborations, and increasing student intake to cultivate the next generation of skilled Unani practitioners.
Professor Dr. Iffat Shah, Principal of Government Medical College, Srinagar, who also holds the additional charge of Principal, Government Unani Medical College, Ganderbal, addressed the gathering. She emphasized the crucial role of Unani medicine in today’s healthcare landscape, advocating for stronger collaboration between conventional and traditional medical institutions to elevate patient care and medical education standards in J&K.
The event also featured expert discussions on the efficacy of Unani medicine in managing lifestyle diseases, with particular focus on leveraging J&K’s rich biodiversity for herbal medicine production. Scholars and practitioners deliberated on strategies to harness the therapeutic potential of indigenous medicinal plants, ensuring sustainability and economic benefits for local communities.
The celebrations concluded with a resounding call for collaborative efforts among the government, academic institutions, and medical practitioners to propel Unani medicine to greater heights. Participants expressed a collective resolve to integrate traditional wisdom with modern advancements to optimize healthcare outcomes for the people of J&K.
The event was attended by several distinguished personalities, including Jinab Mohammad Ashraf Hakak, Administrator of GMC and Associated Colleges; Dr. Showkat Hussain Yattoo, Registrar, Board of Ayurvedic and Unani, J&K; Dr. Sujad Hussain Shuja, Assistant Director (Unani), Directorate of Ayush, J&K; Shri Sonam Singh, Chief Accounts Officer, Directorate of Ayush, J&K; Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Parray, In-Charge, Government Unani Hospital; Dr. B.R. Dab, Registrar, Board of Homeopathy; and all District Ayush Officers/District Nodal Officers of Ayush, Kashmir Division.
The grand observance of Unani Day 2025 reaffirmed Jammu & Kashmir’s commitment to preserving and expanding Unani medicine, ensuring its continued contribution to holistic healthcare and community well-being.
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