Institute of Indigenous Medicine

Institute of Indigenous Medicine
Type Public
Established 1977
Location Colombo, Sri Lanka
Affiliations University of Colombo
Website iim.cmb.ac.lk

The Institute of Indigenous Medicine (IIM) is an affiliated institute of the University of Colombo, specialising in Ayurveda and the Sri Lankan traditional medicine. Founded as a modern College of Indigenous Medicine in 1929, it became part of the University of Colombo adopting its current name in 1977. It is a premier center of undergraduate and postgraduate study and research into ayurvedic and indigenous medicine and healthcare.

History

At the end of the nineteenth century, the British colony of Ceylon, had a system of indigenous medicine, but had no institution for providing indigenous medical education. Three associations or bodies that were formed had done the preliminary work for preservation of traditional medical knowledge, to protect and uphold the professional status of those engaged in practicing oriental medical system. These associations are The Sinhalese Medical Association (1891), Sri Lanka Vaidya Maha Mandalaya (1901), and Sri Lanka Samaja Prathisanskarana Sangamaya (1915). Eminent personalities such as, Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranike, F.R. Senanayake, K. Balasingham, Donald Ubhayasekera and Ananda Coomaraswamy were involved in creating a fund for this purpose.

In 1926, for the first time, a Committee that looked into indigenous medical system proposed that a College should be established with attached teaching hospital, to provide training to those who are keen to pursue this system of medicine. The State Council of Ceylon (Rajya Manthrana Sabhawa) appointed an Advisory Council named the Ayurveda Sammelana Sabha in 1928 with Dr K. Balasingham as its Chairperson. Based on this Committee's recommendation, an institute named Swadeshiya Vaidya Vidyalaya (College of Indigenous Medicine) was established on June 10, 1929 and it was inaugurated by the then Governor of Ceylon, Sir Herbert James Stanley, at the Bauer Building situated at Cotta Road, Borella. Captain (Dr) A.N.N Panikker of the Indian Medical Service who had qualified in western medicine in Edinburgh and possessed a sound training in ayurveda sciences was invited to the newly established College by the Government as its first Principal. Similarly, Dr H.M. Jaffer and Dr H. Ahamed were also brought down from India to develop Unani system of medicine.

Another major step in the field of indigenous medicine was the enactment of the Indigenous Medical Ordinance No. 17 of 1941. The Hon S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike as the Minister of Health and the Chairperson of the Indigenous Medical Advisory Council had brought the legislation to uplift the quality of teaching at the College with a national standard. In 1961, the Ayurveda Act No. 31 of 1961 was enacted by repealing the Indigenous Medical Ordinance No. 17 of 1941 and the College was renamed as the Government College of Indigenous Medicine and came under the management of the College and Hospital Board. This was a step taken to uphold the quality of ayurveda healthcare delivery and the systems of education in Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. Four Statotory Boards namely, Ayurveda Medical Council, the College and Hospital Board, Ayurveda Research Committee and Ayurveda Drug Formulary Committee were created.

The original campus signpost in 1929.

In 1963, the Diploma in Indigenous Medicine & Surgery (DIMS), which was granted till them was renamed the Diploma in Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery (DAMS) under the new Ayurveda Act.

In 1977, the College of Indigenous Medicine was renamed as the Institute of Indigenous Medicine and affiliated to the University of Colombo under the University Act No. 1 of 1972. This was done by the Institute of Ayurveda Statute No. 1 of 1977, published in the Government Gazette Extraordinary bearing number 258 of March 30, 1977. The objective of this step was to produce qualified medical practitioners in the field of Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha medical systems. Institute of Indigenous Medicine Ordinance No. 7 of 1979 published in the Government Gazettee Extraordinary bearing No. 67/14 dated December 21, 1979 under the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978. With this enactment, the Siddha section was transferred and affiliated to the University of Jaffna.

The Institute under the affiliation to the University of Colombo, many changes have been made in the syllabus with the approval of the Senate of the University. One such major revision was in 1982 where the assistance of specialists in various sections in Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha for which expert advises were obtained from Prof. P. N. V. Kurup, Advisor on Ayurveda of the World Health Organization.

With the establishment of the Institute in 1977, it began two degree programs, the Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) and Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS) commenced under two sections of the Institute and the first batch graduated in 1983. These degrees were conferred at the convocation of the University of Colombo held on October 26, 1992.

Administrative Unit of Institute of Indigenous Medicine.

Current status

Since inception, the National Ayurveda Teaching Hospital at Borella has been the centre for providing resources for imparting practical knowledge and skills, particularly in the clinical setting. The Institute has the strength of postgraduate qualified academic staff who undertakes teaching responsibilities and 23 different subject areas are now taught during the five academic years. The syllabi contain study material on Ayurveda or Unani and other related sciences. Each academic year consists of thirty (30) weeks teaching during three terms, with two mid term vacations. At the end of each academic year, annual examinations are held. Each examination consists of written, viva-voce and practical/ clinical components.

The signpost bearing the name "Institute of Indigenous Medicine" at an entrance to Institute of Indigenous Medicine.

Administration

The Senate of the University of Colombo, governs the academic matters of the institute. The Board of Management and the Departmental Committee of the institute are the responsible for administrative and academic matters. The decision of the Senate will be final in all matters.

Departments

Postgraduate Section

(M.Phil.Ayurveda, M.D.(AYU)-Ayurveda vachaspati and PG Diploma in Ayurveda)

MD(AYU)Program

The MD (AYU); 2012-2015, post graduate course is the newly organized first MD(AYU) post graduate degree programme conducted by the Post Graduate Section of Institute of Indigenous Medicine, for those who wish to specialize in the field of Ayurveda. This is the first research and clinical oriented post graduate program in Ayurveda in Sri Lanka. The course has been designed to meet the current needs of the Ayurveda field and its development through advance teaching and learning methods. The Research and Higher Degrees Committee (RHDC) will regulate the program with the approval of the Director, Board of Management and the senate of the University of Colombo. The aim of the MD (Ayu) postgraduate course shall be the orientation in specialties and to produce specialists who will be efficient teachers, clinicians, pharmaceutical experts, scholars and research workers in the respective fields of Ayurveda / Traditional Medicine.

Dr. H.A.S. Ariyawansa was appointed Additional Director in 2012 for Post Graduate Section in Institute of Indigenous Medicine and he is the first Additional Director for first MD (Ayu) programme in Sri Lanka. Dr.P.K. Perera was appointed as first course Coordinator in 2012 for first MD (Ayu) programme in Sri Lanka.

Short Courses

Certificate Course in Ayurveda Pharmacy

Certificate Course in Essentials of Nutritional Medicine

Certificate Course in Yoga

Certificate Course in Massage Therapy

Certificate Course in Holistic Approach in Mother & Child Care

Diploma Courses

Diploma in Ayurveda Pharmaceutics

Sri Lanka Journal of Indigenous Medicine

The institute publishes the Sri Lanka Journal of Indigenous Medicine, a biannual peer-reviewed medical journal covering the traditional system of medicine, medicinal plants, Ayurvedic pharmaceutical science, etc.

Ethics Review Committee of Institute of Indigenous Medicine (ERCIIM)

Ethics Review committee of Institute of Indigenous medicine (ERCIIM) that review bio-medical research proposals involving human participants, tissue and data; and animals used in research in systems of Sri Lankan Ayurveda/Traditional/Indigenous systems of medicine in Sri Lanka.Further ERCIIM guidelines ensure that clinical trial participants are exposed to minimal risks in relation to any benefits that might result from the research. 

Objectives of ERCIIM

1. Protect the mental and physical welfare, rights, dignity and safety of human participants and animals used in research 2. Facilitate ethical research by effective and efficient review and monitoring processes. 3. Review research accordance with national and/or local regulations, as well as with World Health Organization (WHO) good clinical practices (GCPs) guidelines 4. Promote evidence based bio medical research for upgrade the Ayurveda/TM systems by ensure safety and rights of research participants and general public

Conferences

Peaceful location with conducive environment for studies and researches.

See also

References

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