MADURAI: The demand for Siddha herbal medicines has gone substantially due to increased public awareness in Tamil Nadu. For instance, the ‘Kabasura Kudineer’ herbal concoction is now being strongly recommended by the State government in the wake of Coronavirus pandemic to boost people’s immunity. But shockingly, 20 districts in Tamil Nadu have no District Siddha Medical Officers (DSMO) as of now. Reliable sources have told ‘Lotus Times’ news website on 10th May 2020 that in many places one district DSMO is taking care of two or three other districts also.
For instance, Theni has no District Siddha Medical Officer. The same is with Karur district also and it is taken care of Tiruchi DSMO.
“Even though some districts were bifurcated and new districts were carved out in Tamil Nadu many years ago, the important DSMO post was not created or in some cases vacancies not filled up. Representations were given to the government to appoint DSMOs,” an officer said today.
When contacted, the State Secretary of Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical Officers’ Association Dr.B.Thamizhkkani has said over phone that DSMO post is very crucial in the present situation when people are looking up to Siddha with a great hope and confidence because it is an ancient system of medicine that heals, gives health and builds immunity / disease resistance power.
A DSMO is very important for implementing Siddha activities, coordination, popularizing and monitoring in district level.
Since new districts were formed in recent months in Tamil Nadu, the appeal from Siddha fraternity to the State government is to ensure that there is a DSMO of every district.
