Sudha Sharma Outlines Progress in Ayurveda Sector During Ministerial Term

Kathmandu. Former Health Minister Sudha Sharma Gautam has stated that despite limited resources during her short tenure, she prepared a significant foundation for the development and strengthening of the Ayurveda sector.

Addressing the 11th National Conference of the Nepal Ayurveda Doctors Association held in Kathmandu on Friday, former Minister Gautam claimed that although she spent the initial period of her term understanding the subject matter, she moved forward with concrete actions immediately afterward. 

She cited the process of operationalizing the Panchakarma Center in Budhanilkantha as a major achievement of her tenure. "We succeeded in getting some positions approved by conducting an O&M survey for the necessary staffing required to run the Panchakarma Center in Budhanilkantha," she said.

She informed that the proposal has already been approved by the Ministry of General Administration and the Ministry of Finance and is being prepared for submission to the Council of Ministers for final approval. 

Expressing concern over the declining state of the historically significant Singha Durbar Vaidhyakhana, she mentioned that the institution is now gradually returning to its rhythm. According to her, the process of approving additional staffing for the expansion of Vaidhyakhana's services has reached its final stage.

She noted that during her tenure, she conducted field monitoring of Ayurvedic health institutions in various districts as well as locations in Kathmandu, such as Kirtipur and Chhetrapati, to understand the ground reality. While acknowledging that much work remains for the overall development of the Ayurveda sector, former Minister Gautam emphasized that long-term planning, proper manpower management, and policy reforms are indispensable. 

She expressed the view that the active involvement of both the government and doctors is necessary to preserve the dignity of Ayurveda and bring its services to the public level.