 School has introduced the AYUSH Pharmacist course for the first time){kind=link}
APRIL 21: In a major step towards enhancing the healthcare ecosystem in Ramban district, the Ancillary Nursing & Midwifery Training (ANMT) School has introduced the AYUSH Pharmacist course for the first time. This pioneering move aligns with the vision of Deputy Commissioner Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary, who has consistently emphasized the need to expand access to quality healthcare through both modern and traditional systems.
The newly launched course is designed to produce a trained and competent workforce in the field of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy), with a particular focus on Ayurveda—the ancient Indian system of medicine. This initiative marks a significant milestone for the district, as it seeks to promote holistic and alternative medical systems that are natural, cost-effective, and widely trusted for their minimal side effects.
Ten students have been enrolled in the inaugural batch of the AYUSH Pharmacist course. In addition to these students, over 90 other trainees pursuing various healthcare programs—such as Female Multi-Purpose Health Worker (FMPHW), Medical Assistant, and Laboratory Assistant courses—are also being introduced to the basic principles of Ayurveda. This cross-disciplinary exposure is expected to enhance awareness and acceptance of traditional medicine across various healthcare domains.
Dr. Masood Iqbal Zargar, Senior Medical Officer AYUSH, has been appointed as the course instructor. Serving as the AYUSH Lecturer at ANMT School Ramban, Dr. Zargar expressed optimism about the initiative’s potential to address critical workforce shortages. He noted that many posts for AYUSH Pharmacists remain vacant in AYUSH Arogya Mandirs (previously known as AYUSH Dispensaries and later rebranded as AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres). The course, he added, would serve as a direct channel for filling these gaps with well-trained professionals.
“This is not just about filling vacancies,” said Dr. Zargar. “It’s about integrating traditional medicine into the mainstream healthcare framework, offering affordable and side-effect-free treatments that are accessible to rural and underserved communities.”
The initiative is expected to not only meet growing public demand for AYUSH services but also promote the ancient healing practices of India, thereby contributing to a more inclusive and diversified healthcare system in Ramban and beyond.