Panjim: Speaking to reporters this evening during the daily media briefing, Chief Minister of Goa, Dr Pramod Sawant stated, ‘Goa is the first state to give Ayurvedic treatment to COVID-19 positive patients and patients suspected of having COVID-19’.
However, the statement of the Goa CM appears to have violated the Ministry of AYUSH Order dates April 1, 2020.
The AYUSH Order states:
“Whereas in view of the emerging threat in the country due to COVID-19 outbreak, it is imperative to apply and implement various measures for maintaining public safety in all aspects and to control dissemination of misleading information about AYUSH drugs and services;
Whereas the Ministry of Home Affairs vide Order No. 40-3/2020-DM-II(A), dated 24th March, 2020 and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) vide Order No. 1-29/2020-pp (Pt II) dated 24th March, 2020 have issued instructions to all Central and State/UT Government Authorities under the provisions of Disaster Management Act, 2005 to take effective measures including making of false claim as punishable offence so as to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country;
Accordingly, in exercise of the powers of Central Government, conferred under Section 33 P of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, it is hereby directed to all concerned AYU&H Regulatory Authorities in the States/Union Territories to stop and prevent publicity and advertisement of AYUSH-related claims for COVID-19 treatment in print, TV and electronic media and take necessary action against the persons/agencies involved in contravening the relevant legal provisions and the aforesaid guidelines of NDMA.”
GoaChronicle.com through Whatsapp sent by our Founder & Editor-in-Chief Savio Rodrigues asked Goa Chief Minister to share details of the Ayurveda treatment used to treat COVID-19 patients and suspects. We are awaiting a response.
Ayurveda treatment is reportedly known to enhance a person’s immunity but whether it is scientifically proved in treating COVID-19 positive patients is not known.
Recently, AYUSH Minister, Shripad Naik told media that Ayurvedic medicine helped Prince Charles to be cured of coronavirus. He further went on the elucidate that, “It validates our age-old practice since thousand of years.”
Congress however, ridiculed the AYUSH minister by stating that the South Goa Member of Parliament had brought shame to Goa due to his ridiculous claims that Ayurveda helped in cure of the British Royal.
Ministry_of_AYUSH_Order_for_States___UTs
