New Delhi, Dec 9 : The Union Ministry of AYUSH and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences have decided to initiate work on setting up a Department of Integrative Medicine at the premier institute in Delhi, the ministry said on Wednesday. This was decided in a joint visit and review by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of AYUSH and Dr. Randeep Guleria, Director of AIIMS of the Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research (CIMR). The cutting-edge research activities being held by the CIMR in the Yoga and Ayurveda disciplines were reviewed and the research outcomes were seen to be impressive. The Ministry of AYUSH and AIIMS have decided to extend the duration of the research collaboration at the CIMR and also to extend the scope of collaborative activities. "Considering the research work, other activities and accomplishments of the CIMR, it was felt that the setting up of dedicated OPD and IPD beds for CIMR could be the next steps in the growth and development of CIMR," the ministry said in a statement. Both Secretary AYUSH and Director AIIMS agreed that considering the increased interest of patients at AIIMS in the CIMR and the growing body of research work of the Centre, it could be feasible to further develop it into a standalone Department for Integrative Medicine at the AIIMS in the short-term future. This may be developed with dedicated faculty and staff to make it into a permanent Department at the AIIMS. Secretary AYUSH assured that the Ministry of AYUSH will strive to continue its support to CIMR till the dedicated Department is developed. The notable research outcomes of CIMR and the encouraging results of the new initiatives in Covid-19 research through integrative research point towards an integrative approach being the need of the hour and towards the significant public health benefits it can lead to. It was decided that the CIMR and the AIIMS may develop an integrated protocol with Ayurveda and Yoga for study on post-Covid treatment. The Ministry of AYUSH could collaborate in the same way through the Extra Mural Research Scheme. The progress in establishing the Integrated AYUSH cancer care facilities at the National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar, Haryana was also reviewed. It was decided to follow it up and expedite the process for early establishment and functioning of the center. /IANS