Dr. K. kabiruddin Ahmed

      The Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine, Chennai, is one of the premier and oldest research institutes functioning under the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, New Delhi, Ministry of Ayush, Govt. of India, since 1979, with the prime objective of undertaking scientific research and development in the different fields of Unani medicine. The Institute has developed over the years a sound research infrastructure and has obtained significant leads in the fields of clinical research, drug standardization research, safety evaluation of Unani drugs, survey and cultivation of medicinal plants, and molecular and biological studies. Over the last four decades of its existence, 64 clinical research studies have been completed on various diseases, with extensive work on Iltihāb-i-Kabid (viral hepatitis), Dā’ al-Fīl (filariasis), Hudār (rheumatoid arthritis), and other musculoskeletal disorders. Several validation studies on Unani pharmacopoeial formulations have been carried out on common ailments, viz., Nazla (common cold), Sual-i-Ratb (productive cough), Warm-i-Halaq (pharyngitis), Khafaqān (palpitation), Qulā’ (stomatitis), Niqris (gout), etc. The institute has a full-fledged GOPD, Research OPD, 49-bedded IPD, Pathology & Biochemistry Laboratories, X-Ray & ECG sections, GMP-certified Pharmacy, Ilāj bi’l Tadbīr (regimenal therapy), Hammām (traditional bath house), Peripheral Pharmacovigilance Centre, Mobile Health Care Unit, Scheduled Caste Sub plan (SCSP) unit, etc. The Drug Standardization Research Unit (DSRU) is engaged in evolving pharmacopoeial standards for Unani single and compound drugs and the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Unani compound formulations. The unit is also engaged in testing internal and external drug samples for quality control studies through its approved Drug Testing Laboratory (DTL) by the Govt of Tamil Nadu. The Survey of Medicinal Plants Unit of the Institute is engaged in exploring the medicinal plant wealth of forest areas in various districts of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states, collecting folklore claims from various tribal communities inhabited in the forest areas and villages, and working on the conservation and propagation of endangered, vulnerable, rare, and threatened medicinal plants, particularly those used in the Unani system of medicine. The unit has a fully maintained drug museum, a full-fledged herbarium section, and an herbal garden. The work carried out by all these units has been reflected through technical reports, monographs, publications, and by presenting scientific papers in various conferences, seminars, workshops, webinars, etc. Besides this, the institute actively organizes different health events viz., health camps, public health awareness lectures, guest lectures, journal clubs, seminars, workshops, and webinars, as part of IEC activities. The huge infrastructure with competent professionals is being optimally utilized, and their services are employed for providing health care delivery to the masses, dissemination of health knowledge, and propagation of the Unani system of medicine. The Institute has recently acquired NABH accreditation for its hospital services and NABL M (EL) T Lab certification for Biochemistry lab.
Best wishes
Dr. K. kabiruddin Ahmed
Deputy Director