President Pratibha Patil Monday favoured integration of various therapies to provide affordable medical care to common people in the country.

Noting the creation of ‘AYUSH’ by the government which aims at coordination of Ayurveda, Unani, Homeopath and Siddha therapies to supplement allopathic treatment, Patil said every branch of medicine has its own importance and it is necessary that the benefits of integrated approach reach the last man.

Speaking at the golden jubilee function of Maharashtra Arogya Mandal (MAM) here, she underlined the importance of raising standards of medical education in the country and spreading health awareness through adoption of scientific attitude.

“Health awareness and preventive approach is necessary to achieve the people’s empowerment,” Patil observed.

Hailing the contribution of MAM for the welfare of the downtrodden, Patil urged service and non-government organisations (NGOs) to work to facilitate cheaper health care for women and the deprived section of the society.