The Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, has recently launched the SMART Initiative (Scope for Mainstreaming Ayurveda Research in Teaching Professionals) and SMART 2.0 programs.
About SMART Initiatives:
- The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) have introduced the SMART program.
- SMART 2.0 is an extension, focusing on clinical studies in various health issues through collaboration with Ayurvedic institutions.
Objectives:
- To mainstream and amplify scientific research in Ayurveda.
- To utilize the community of Ayurveda teachers and practitioners for comprehensive healthcare research.
- To generate solid evidence of the efficacy and safety of Ayurveda interventions.
Priority Healthcare Research Areas:
- Original SMART program: Osteoarthritis, Iron Deficiency Anaemia, Chronic Bronchitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Obesity, and more.
- SMART 2.0: Bal Kasa, Malnutrition, Insufficient Lactation, Abnormal Uterine Bleeding, Osteoporosis in post-menopausal women, Diabetes Mellitus II, among others.
Implementation Agencies:
- Executed by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS).
Eligibility Criteria for Participation:
- Ayurveda academic institutions with a good track record in clinical research.
- Hospitals focusing on Ayurveda with significant patient flow in OPD and IPD, especially in the priority areas.
- Institutions with accreditations from NAAC/NABH/NABL and DHR registration are given preference.
Duration of Projects:
- Each project under the SMART initiative can last for a maximum of two years.
SMART 1.0 and SMART 2.0:
- SMART 1.0 covered around 10 diseases with participation from 38 colleges.
- SMART 2.0 focuses on the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of Ayurveda interventions in its specified health issues.
Ref: Source
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