The government has earmarked Rs 80 crore for the department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Sidha, Sowa Rigpa and Homeopathy (AYUSH) for promoting the country's traditional methods of treatment and healthcare.
Rs 16 crore is spent every year under the AYUSH scheme, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Santosh Chowdhary and Secretary, AYUSH, Nilanjan Sanyal said.
They were speaking to reporters after inaugurating a two-day health fair 'Aarogya' organised by AYUSH department.
Chowdhary regretted that Indians were leaving traditional medical methods while foreigners were adopting these.
"China is copying our herbal system," she said, adding that during her visits to Germany and China, she had herself seen that India's traditional medical methods were a craze.
"I have signed an MOU with Hungary which also wanted to adopt this system of medicines," she said.
Asked as to why Indians were leaving traditional medical treatments, Chowdhary admitted lack of publicity was a factor but undue haste and lifestyle were the main culprits.
Inaugurating the health fair, Chowdhary emphasised the need of keeping away youths from drugs.
