History of Faculty of Siddha Medicine, University of Jaffna
In 1925, there was a demand by some members of the Legislative Council for the allocation of a sum of money for the training of Ayurvedic Physician. This was followed by passing of a resolution for the appointment of a committee to study the feasibility of this proposal. Based on the committee recommendation the Board of Indigenous Medicine was constituted to establish a college together with hospital to train the Indigenous physicians in Colombo.
The first tertiary programme, a Diploma in Siddha Medicine along with Ayurveda and Unani was offered in 1929 at the College of Indigenous Medicine in Borella, Colombo. The Board of Indigenous Medicine awarded Diploma of Indigenous Medicine and Surgery (DIMS) until 1961. After the implementation of Ayurveda act no. 31 of 1961, the name of the College was changed to College of Ayurvedic Medicine and the Diploma awarded also changed into Diploma of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (DAMS). The College of Ayurvedic Medicine was upgraded to the status of Institute of Indigenous Medicine (IIM) and affiliated to University of Colombo on 2nd April 1977. In 1983, three Indigenous Medical System were originated in the University of Colombo namely Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani. Since then the University of Colombo offered three degree programmes of five years duration of Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS), Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery (BSMS) and Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS). Institute of Indigenous Medicine Ordinance No. 7 of 1979 published in the Govt. Gazette Extraordinary nearing No. 67/14 dated 21.12.1979. With this enactment, the siddha section was transferred and affiliated to the University of Jaffna along with 07 Academic staff of the Department of Siddha Medicine on 02.07.1984. Currently, all the academic staff have completed their postgraduate programmes (Ph.D:02 nos, M.D:11 nos, M.Phil: 03 nos).
The Siddha section was accommodated under the Faculty of Arts as a Department of Siddha Medicine and commenced its academic functions at Kaithady, which is 11 km away from the main premises of the University of Jaffna in the already existed buildings of the Department of Ayurveda adjourning to the Government Siddha Ayurvedic Hospital. Since 1993, Siddha Medicine section brought under the direct administration of Vice Chancellor, University of Jaffna as Unit of Siddha Medicine.
BSMS Students were admit from the Bio-stream based on the G.C.E. (A/L) performance. Moreover, the UGC established a Standing Committee on Indigenous Medicine for the development of Indigenous Medicine in order to develop in the aspects of teaching, learning, research and capacity development of academics. Head of Siddha Medicine was included as one of the members of the standing committee on Indigenous Medicine. Having considered the undesirable status of Siddha Medicine in the University of Jaffna as a Unit, UGC requested to develop a proposal to upgrade Siddha Medicine as an independent academic entity in the form of Faculty or Institute. In this regard, the initial proposal was submitted in 2008 and it was placed to the Senate and Standing Committee on Indigenous Medicine in 2009. From 2009 to 2015, the UGC has been contemplating on this proposal to decide on upgrading the Siddha Medicine Unit whether as Faculty or Institute considering the issues of student’s numbers, staff strength and infrastructure facilities.
From 2016, Siddha Medicine has been functioning with five proposed “Departments”, namely Dept. of Moolathaththuvam, Dept. of Gunapadam, Dept. of Noi Naadal Chikitchai, Dept. of Kuzhanthai and Mahalir maruththuvam, and Dept. of Virana chikitchai.
The University of Jaffna in consultation with the UGC with the view of upgrading the Siddha Medicine section as an Institute and decided to appoint a Senate Subcommittee to draft the ordinance to the proposed Institute. However, at the 1028th meeting of University Grants Commission held on 12.03.2020, decided that the undergraduate programmes shall be conducted by the Faculties and postgraduate programmes be conducted by the Institute. Based on this decision, the UGC has intimated to the University of Jaffna to decide upon whether to upgrade the Unit of Siddha Medicine to a Faculty or an Institute. The Senate recommended to upgrade it into a Faculty and the Council approved it. Hence this proposal for the establishment of Faculty of Siddha Medicine is designed and developed.
The Council of the University of Jaffna has authorized a proposal to promote the Unit of Siddha Medicine to a Faculty. This decision was made on its 444th meeting held on 03.07.2020 with the recommendation of the 444th Senate meeting held on 30.06.2020. The cabinet of Ministers has recommended it established of the Faculty of Siddha Medicine on 27.03.2023 and it was gazetted on 26.07.2024 as Faculty of Siddha Medicine with eight Departments namely Gunapadam, Moolathathuvam, Manitha Uyiriyal, Samooganala Maruthuvam, Nanjiyal & Paramparai Maruthuvam, Noi Naadal Chikitsai, Sirorogam & Aruvai Maruthuvam and Kuzhanthai & Mahalir Maruthuvam.
The Faculty of Siddha Medicine of the University of Jaffna has become an excellent center for fostering and promoting teaching and learning of Siddha Medicine at undergraduate level for more than 40 years. Further Siddha Medicine provides guidance and supervision for the postgraduate students reading for the M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees at the Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Jaffna.
Besides, Kaithady Siddha Teaching Hospital has been used as a Teaching Hospital for the clinical studies. For the clinical teaching, the Kaithady Siddha Teaching Hospital is with 150 beds (bed strength) is available. Further, the students also obtain Clinical training at the Rural and District Siddha Hospitals attached to the Northern Provincial Department of Indigenous Medicine. At present, the Faculty of Siddha Medicine attracts students from all over Sri Lanka with the student intake increasing from 50 in 2016 to above 100 in recent years, leading to 123 numbers in the academic year 2022/2023 (Total no of students is 334).