Jammu: The government is keen to promote AYUSH method of treatment which has become very popular in the state and does not have any side effects, Health Minister Bali Bhagat said.

He said in the state, the facility of AYUSH consultation and treatment is available in all allopathic hospitals and government medical colleges, besides its own network of treatment facilities in almost every block of the state.

"The government is serious in its endeavour of promoting the AYUSH sector, which has a great potential and demand in Jammu and Kashmir," the minister said after laying foundation stone of an additional block, to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 8.46 crore in the Ayurvedic hospital premises here.

The five-storey building (including stilted floor, upper ground floor plus three floors) with total plinth area of 17,360 square feet would be built in two phases.

Bhagat said over the past two decades, Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) has become very popular in the state and patient flow increased manifold.

AYUSH, being an ancient and traditional diagnostic system in India, has its own importance and, more and more people are reiterating their faith in this system which is quite safe and without any side effect, he said.

The rural health institutions are mostly run by AYUSH doctors, the minister said.

He said the upcoming block at the Ayurvedic Hospital would boost to the upgradation of infrastructural facilities in the AYUSH sector.

In view of the growing demand and popularity of AYUSH, the government has been able to revive the Ayurvedic College in Jammu, which was abandoned almost four decades back, Bhagat said.

Academic activities of the first batch of 50 students has been started this year from the AYUSH hospital Jammu, he said, adding a state-of-the-art college building at Akhnoor is in the final stage of construction and from the next academic year, all activities would be shifted there.