Soon, Yoga and Naturopathy Medical College and Hospital in Howrah

State government is planning to set up a Yoga and Naturopathy Medical College and Hospital in Howrah.

For the first time, the state government has taken up such a unique initiative to set up a medical college and hospital exclusively dedicated to yoga and naturopathy. The proposed medical college will come up on a 4-acre land situated beside Belur State General Hospital for which a detailed project report has been prepared and be sent to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her final approval.

Banerjee, who is also in charge of the health department, expressed her interest in setting up the medical college exclusively dedicated to yoga and naturopathy.

A special team has been formed comprising the director of AYUSH department, West Bengal Medical Council president Dr Niral Maji, local MLA Vaishali Dalmia, yoga and naturopathy council president Tushar Sil, a senior ayurvedic doctor and others who have carried out a detailed study.

If the project gets the Chief Minister's nod, the medical college would start functioning at the extended building of Belur State General Hospital for which the infrastructure would witness a face lift. In the later stage, a separate building would come up on the 4-acre land adjacent to the hospital.

As per the plan, the proposed medical college and hospital will have 20-25 beds initially and around 50 students will be able to study Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences (BNYS) after completion of which the candidates have to undergo one year internship at this medical college. The BNYS course will be done for four-and-half-years.

Tushar Sil, president of Yoga and Naturopathy Council said the state government has taken the initiative to set up a new medical college exclusively dedicated to yoga and naturopathy a survey work has already been carried out.

"Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had shown interest in setting up a Yoga and Naturopathy medical college and hospital for the first time in the state. The detailed report will soon be sent to the Chief Minister's office. The Health department will carry out the project," Sil said.

It may be mentioned that after coming to power, the Chief Minister has laid

great emphasis on the infrastructural development of yoga and naturopathy along with other spheres of medicines coming under the AYUSH department.