New Delhi: The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) yesterday launched a new programme in the field of Acupuncture in collaboration with the Institute of Acupuncture & Natural Medicines (IANM), New Delhi.

IGNOU Vice Chancellor Prof. V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai announced that the programme will commence from November this year.

"The course is intended to strengthen the Acupuncture in general. It shall help graduates of different system of medicine to learn a new modality of therapy and utilize it for patient benefit in treating acute and chronic diseases", Prof. Pillai added.

The programme can be completed in a minimum period of 1 year and a maximum period of 3 years and is available to the Medical graduates (Allopathy, Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha & Homeopathy).

This is the first time that a medical programme will be offered online with contact sessions for practical training.

Internal assessment will be done through online tests / examination and term-end examination.

Acupuncture is a traditional method of therapy which is very well recognized world over and well accepted by the people as it does not have any side effects.

This method has been found to be useful in all types of diseases specially the chronic diseases. Moreover, the cost of the treatment is less as compared to the other systems of medicine.

Because of its broad-based content, the course will be of relevance to those aspiring to make a career in Acupuncture.

The entire theoretical component will be online and for practical training, the doctor can opt for any of 8 centres in India specified by the varsity.

The centres are located at New Delhi, Kolkata, Indore, Chennai, Hubli (Karnataka), Kota (Rajasthan), Rourkela (Orissa) and Thiruvanathapuram (Kerala).