IOP News Desk
Geneva, Nov 18, 2023: The Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a Traditional and Complementary Medicine 'Project Collaboration Agreement' late last night in Geneva.
The main goal of this agreement is to standardize traditional and complementary medical systems, integrate their quality and safety aspects into the national health system, and promote them internationally.
The agreement aims to connect these medical systems with the mainstream healthcare system and develop the Traditional Medicine Global Strategy 2025-34 with the support of the Ministry of Ayush.
Other objectives of the agreement include strengthening the training and practice of the Siddha system of complementary medicine, formulating guidelines for traditional and complementary medicines, and developing an International Herbal Pharmacopoeia for herbs in South-East Asia.
The agreement also focuses on integrating evidence-based traditional and complementary medicines into the national health system, as well as conserving biodiversity and medicinal plants.
The Union Ayush Minister Sarbananda Sononwal congratulated everyone on this occasion and emphasized India's rich history in traditional and alternative medical systems.
He said that this collaboration will enhance India's global reputation in healthcare services and promote medical tourism.
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, the Ayush Secretary, stated that the first phase of this agreement (2023-28) will be a significant milestone in the global development of traditional and complementary medical systems.
Bruce Aylward, Assistant Director General of the WHO, believes that this collaboration will integrate traditional and complementary medicine systems into India's national health system and contribute to global healthcare and well-being.
Indra Mani Pandey, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, expressed India's commitment to working with the WHO to strengthen traditional medicine systems globally.
This is the third collaboration agreement between the Ministry of Ayush and the WHO.
The first agreement was signed in 2016 to promote traditional medical systems like Yoga, Ayurveda, Unani, and Panchakarma globally, while the second agreement in 2017 focused on strengthening Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha medical systems.
The signing of this agreement took place in Geneva, Switzerland, with Indra Mani Pandey representing the Ministry of Ayush and Dr. Bruce Aylward representing the WHO.