Imphal, Sept 16 (PTI) The central government will help Manipur to develop alternative treatment system through Ayurveda, Yoga and naturecure, Unani, Sidha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH).

S. Jalaja, secretary, ministry of health and family welfare, department of AYUSH, told a press conference here today that the Centre had decided to establish nine AYUSH hospitals in all nine districts of Manipur.

In the first phase the Centre has earmarked Rs 10 crore for setting up an Ayurvedic college, including a 50 bed hospital in the state.

She further said that the Centre was ready to provide funds for establishment of a Homoeopathic college in Manipur if there was a proposal from the state government.

The Health Secretary asked the youngsters of Manipur to involve themselves in the plantation of medicinal plants to earn more for their economic development and so as to be able to earn in such an insurgency-prone area. Funds for it would not be a problem, she said.