September 29, 2023

WHO to host the first-ever Global Summit on Traditional Medicine

A first-of-its-kind global summit on Traditional Medicine, organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and co-hosted by the Ministry of Ayush, is set to take place on August 17-18, 2023, at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The summit will take into account the vast experience and expertise of the country and this highly anticipated event will serve as a platform for experts and practitioners to delve into the latest scientific advancements and evidence-based knowledge in the sector, with the ultimate goal of ensuring health and well-being for all.

The esteemed Director-General of WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, will inaugurate the event in the presence of Minister of Health Shri Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of Ayush Shri Sarbananda Sonowal. G20 health Ministers, Regional Directors of WHO and eminent invitees from countries across WHO’s six regions are expected to grace the event along with scientists, practitioners of traditional medicine, health workers and members of civil society organisations. Union Minister of State for Ayush, Dr Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai gave this information in a press conference today in New Delhi.

Speaking about the event in a press conference, Dr Munjpara stated that the summit’s outcome will be a declaration, and this declaration will assist WHO in shaping the future of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine. He also stated, “It is very natural that after the foundation laying ceremony of the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar last year, we are going to witness this first global event in India. It testifies to the multi-dimensional strides taken by various traditional medicine systems of our country in the recent past.”

“By blending traditional practices with contemporary practices aided by visionary policies and digital initiatives, India has demonstrated a path for achieving universal health coverage (UHC) through traditional medicine systems.” He added.

Director, Department of Health Systems Development (WHO South East Asia Regional Centre) Shri Manoj Jhalani stated that the summit is expected to develop a roadmap toward creating a more holistic and healthier world for future generations by recognizing the interconnectedness between human health, planetary harmony, and technological advancement.

An array of distinguished speakers will be spearheading discussions on key focus areas, namely research, evidence and learning; policy, data and regulation; innovation and digital health; and biodiversity, equity and traditional (healthcare) knowledge.

Another added milestone will be the exhibition of Traditional systems of medicine from across the globe and the Ministry of Ayush. This exhibition serves as a comprehensive display of Traditional Medicine worldwide and will showcase the interconnectedness of Traditional Medicine with the natural environment in the form of ‘Kalpavriksha’, along with scientific and technological advancements spearheaded by various regional centres of WHO and the Ministry of Ayush.

In a detailed presentation, the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, Shri Rahul Sharma, laid down the salient features of the event and the exhibition by WHO regional Centres and the Ayush exhibition zone, which has the theme, ‘Ayush for Planetary Health & Wellbeing’, This exhibition will display WHO regional centres’ prowess apart from highlighting Ayush’s efficacy and rich biodiversity of medicinal plants. Some very interesting experiential and interactive kiosks will also be there.

The ministry will also be organising yoga and meditation sessions at the Convention Centre. There also will be yoga and meditation sessions at hotel venues, as well as short Yoga breaks at Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre between sessions.

In 2022, WHO, with the support of the Government of India, established the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine. Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, laid the foundation stone of WHO-GCTM last year in the presence of the Director-General of WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The centre is a collaborative project of the Ministry of Ayush of India and the World Health Organization (WHO) and is the first and only global outpost for traditional medicine across the globe. The WHO GCTM will provide leadership on all global health matters related to traditional medicine as well as extend support to member countries in shaping various policies related to traditional medicine research, practices and public health. In a significant move, this year’s highly anticipated event in the form of the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine is taking place.

Source: Press Information Bureau, GOI

AYUSH Sector Poised For $24 Billion Growth in 2023

The production of AYUSH medicines and supplements has experienced significant growth, going from over $3 billion in 2014 to $18 billion in 2020.

According to the Secretary of the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, this growth is expected to continue, with projections reaching $24 billion by 2023.

In preparation for the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit, set to take place on 17 and 18 August in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, the AYUSH Secretary highlighted that the summit will establish the direction for future activities of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine, located in Jamnagar.

The global summit is a joint effort between the WHO and the Government of India, which currently holds the presidency of the G20 for the year 2023.

More than 90 countries will reportedly be represented at the summit, which will serve as a platform for various stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, researchers, and the private sector, to exchange best practices, evidence, data, and innovations related to the contribution of traditional medicine to health and sustainable development.

Some 7,000 AYUSH-based health and wellness centers are operational currently and providing services. Data from states between January and December 2022 indicate that 8.42 crore patients have availed of these services, according to Kotecha.

During the summit, the WHO will share emerging findings from the third global survey on traditional medicine. This survey includes questions on various aspects such as financing, the health of indigenous peoples, quality assurance, traditional medicine knowledge, biodiversity, trade, integration, and patient safety.

The complete survey will be released later in the year as an interactive online dashboard and then a report, informing the development of the WHO’s updated traditional medicine strategy 2025-2034, as requested by the World Health Assembly in May 2023.

Source: Swarajya

Ayush industry grew from $2.85 to $18.1 billion – study

As per the research report on Ayush Sector by Forum on Indian Traditional Medicine (FITM) under Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), the market size of Ayush industry is US$ 18.1 billion (INR 1,49,451 Crore as per current INR-Dollar rate) in 2020 whereas it was US$ 2.85 billion (INR 23,532 Crore as per current INR-Dollar rate) in 2014-15 (Goraya and Ved).

The Ministry has developed a Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of International Co-operation in Ayush (IC Scheme) under which Ministry of Ayush provides support to Indian Ayush Manufacturers/ Ayush Service providers to give boost to export of Ayush products & services;  facilitate International promotion, development and recognition of Ayush system of medicine; foster interaction of stakeholders and market development of Ayush at international level; promote academics and research through establishment of Ayush Academic Chairs in foreign countries and holding training workshop/symposiums for promoting and strengthening awareness and interest about Ayush Systems of Medicine at international level.

The Ministry of Ayush in cooperation with Ministry of Commerce and Industry has set up an Ayush Export Promotion Council for medicines and products of Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Unani systems and services of the Ayush systems.

As per the report of Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), on ‘Ayush Sector in India: Prospects & Challenges’, the global market size of the herbal sector was estimated at US$ 657.5 billion (INR 54,28,977 Crore as per current INR-Dollar rate) in 2020. In terms of overall exports, the total Ayush export of India has increased from US$ 1.09 billion (INR 9,000 Crore as per current INR-Dollar rate) in 2014 to US$ 1.54 billion (INR 12,715 Crore as per current INR-Dollar rate) in 2020.

Ministry of Ayush has taken the following steps to push exports globally: –

  • Ministry has signed 24 Country to Country MoUs for Cooperation in field of Traditional Medicine and Homoeopathy with foreign nations.
  • 40 MoUs have been signed with international institutes for undertaking Collaborative Research / Academic collaboration.
  • 15 MoUs have been signed with international institutes for setting up of Ayush Academic Chairs in foreign nations.
  • Ministry of Ayush has provided support for establishment of 39 Ayush Information Cells in 35 foreign nations.
  • The “Ayush Export Promotion Council” has been registered under section 8(4) of the Companies Act 2013 on 04.01.2022 under the Ministry of Ayush in support of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to tackle the obstacles for registration of Ayush products abroad, undertaking of market studies and research activities abroad.
  • MoUs have been signed with London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSH&TM), UK and Frankfurter Innovationszentrum Biotechnologie GmbH (FIZ), Frankfurt Germany for clinical research studies on mitigation of Covid-19 through Ayurveda.
  • WHO-GMP (COPP) has been given to 31 Ayurvedic Drug manufacturers to facilitate the export of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani & Homoeopathy Drugs.

Read more:

Govt to promote AYUSH through health tourism

Heal in India is an Initiative of the Government to promote the Medical Tourism in the country. Under this initiative,Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and  Ministry of Ayush has been working with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) and Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC)for developing a ‘One Step’ Heal in India portal for Promotion of Medical Value Travel.

Ministry of Ayush signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), Ministry of Tourism to work together for the promotion of Medical Value Travel in Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine.

Ministry of Ayush developed a Central Sector Scheme namely Champion Service Sector Scheme for Medical Value Travel Under this scheme, financial assistance in the form of Interest Subsidy is provided to private investors for the establishment of Super Specialty Hospitals/ Day Care Centres of the systems recognized under The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) Act, 2020 or The National Commission for Homeopathy (NCH) Act, 2020 in FY 2021-22.

Couples of Chintan Shivir were organized by the Ministry of Health and Family welfare to promote Heal in India and Heal by India. Ministry of Ayush has also participated in these Chintan Shivir. Certain action points were identified in this shivir to promote traditional medicine through Tourism in India.

A Round Table and Plenary Session on Heal in India- Medical Value Travel were also organized during Global Ayush Investment and Innovation summit at Gandhinagar, Gujrat to promote India as No. 1 destination for Medical Value Travel.

List of National Institutes under the aegis of Ministry of AYUSH having attached hospitals in Homoeopathy

  • North Eastern Institute on Ayurveda & Homoeopathy, Meghalaya
  • National Institute of Homoeopathy, West Bengal

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AYUSH courses through fellowship programs by premier Institutions

The number of foreign nationals undertaking Ayush courses in premier Ayush institutions in the country under Ayush scholarship/fellowship programmes of the Ministry of Ayush, is 247.

An Ayush Information cell is set up in foreign Countries with the mandate to disseminate authentic information about Ayush systems of Medicine and to undertake various Ayush Promotional activities. 

The Ministry of Ayush has supported the establishment of 39 Ayush Information Cells in 35 foreign nations.

Recently, the latest Ayush Information Cell in Japan was inaugurated on 09th March, 2023. A health centre i.e. Panchakarma Centre in Havana (Cuba) has been established by the Ministry of Public Health, Cuba with the technical support of the Ministry of Ayush in 2019. 

Under the Country to Country MoU signed with Cuba, the Ministry of Ayush deputed one Ayurveda Expert and two Ayurveda therapists to Havana, Cuba, for providing their services for the Panchakarma Centre at, Havana, Cuba in November, 2019.

Read more:

International Ayush Submit at Kanyakumary 2023

International Ayush Submit 2023 – A comprehensive concave on holistic healthcare

Dates: 27 – 29 January 2023

At Vivekanathapuram, Kanyakumary

Mission:

  • To outreach the benefits of AYUSH across the globe
  • To educate the public on the correct benefits, usage of AYUSH
  • To inspire AYUSH professionals to be exceptional physicians, leaders, educators and researchers of tomorrow.
  • To facilitate Policy makers & Government to integrating AYUSH to the main stream of healthcare delivery system

Vision:

To promote AYUSH and make India healthy-SwasthBharat

Core values:

  • Propagation
  • Promotion
  • Excellence
  • Integrity and Ethical Behaviour

Event Highlights:

  • Display and launch of AYUSH products directly by manufacturers from all over India
  • Display of herbal food by eminent manufacturers
  • Free consultations by AYUSH specialists & free distribution of medicine
  • Live yoga demonstration for treatment of common diseases
  • Business & public lecture sessions
  • B2B Meet directly by manufacturers
  • Medicinal Plants Expo and awareness on cultivation of medicinal plants
  • Public awareness programme like preparation of home remedies for common diseases

Organizers:

  • Kendra Vivekananda
  • Santigiri Ashram
  • QPHA
  • INYGMA —Indian Naturopathy & Yoga Graduates Medical Association
  • MAR SLEEVA Medicity Palai
  • Siddha Medical Association of India
  • Global Homeopathy Foundation
  • Bodhi Foundation

Contact: +91 9778754536, 0471-4054335

Email: ayushsummit23@gmail.com

Website: www.ayushsummit.com