Recommendations from The First International Siddha Congress Kilavayal, Tamilnadu, India. May 24-26, 2002  preserving and ..    education    research    economic development    conservaton of ..

:: Education Several levels of educational need were identified: local level; institutional training; knowledge exchange and educational programs with traditional folk practitioners and graduate practitioners. Local Level Siddha Medical Council should give official recognition certificates/registration of siddha folk practitioners. Encouragement should be given to traditional practitioner's families to train girls, as women are reluctant to talk with male vaithyas. Government should promote the introduction of Siddha medical knowledge into primary education. Institutional Level Establishment of research-based educational institutions to promote siddha medical practices and quality medicaments, based in standards of good clinical and drug production practice. Gandeepam to become a leading national Siddha institution (see accompanying Action Plan) The Department of Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM) should promote vocational courses in Siddha for the youth. Knowledge exchange Promotion of networking among traditional and medical practitioners through regular meetings and training workshops to prepetuate traditional Siddha practices. At national and international levels, networking to be promoted via conferences and journals. Siddha Colleges to appoint Siddha vaithyas as honorary lecturers and demonstrators and create opportunities for graduates to secure internships with master vaithyas. Siddha courses to be offered in all other medical education programs.