Siddha : MedicineSahaswi Group of Institutions
One of the seven Ayush systems, Siddha system of medicine is an ancient traditional system of medicine that originated in South India. It is believed to be one of India’s oldest documented systems of medicine which is based on a combination of ancient medicinal practices and spiritual disciplines.
The term Siddha means achievements and Siddhars who defied death preached the philosophy of Siddha medicine and theory of immortality and have achieved perfection in medicine. Eighteen Siddhars are said to have contributed towards the systematic development of this system, who recorded their experiences in the Tamil language. Agathiyar, one of the eighteen Siddhars is the founder father of Siddha medicine. Although it is mainly practised in the southern part of India, its importance and reach have grown globally across the world.
Education in Siddha
Standards of medical education in Siddha are laid down under the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) which is a statutory body constituted under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970.
Under Graduate Courses (BSMS)
BSMS courses are offered in two Government Colleges at the state level and in a number of private Medical Colleges.
Post Graduate Courses – PG (MD (Siddha) & PhD program)
The postgraduate courses in Siddha are offered in two Government Medical Colleges at the State level and the National Institute of Siddha at the Central level. The Ph.D. program is conducted in the National Institute of Siddha and Government Siddha Medical Colleges.
The National Institute of Siddha (NIS), Chennai is a premier institute run by the Ministry of Ayush for imparting training, teaching, and research in Siddha. This is an apex Institute for Siddha medicine to develop human resources, render quality health care services, promote and propagate Siddha medicine and undertake researches to establish evidence-based medicine.
Established in the year 2005, NIS offers important courses like Postgraduate course M.D (Siddha) and PhD. programmes in various disciplines of Siddha medicine. Its curriculum is meticulously planned to integrate the benefits of a traditional healthcare system with modern science.
