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Ministry of AYUSH joins hand with WHO to promote traditional medicines

Two side will work towards building capacity, facilitating advocacy and disseminating information on alternative medicines among the member states

Ministry of AYUSH joins hand with WHO to promote traditional medicines

BS B2B Bureau New Delhi
The Cabinet has given its approval to the agreement for collaborative activities to be signed in the area of traditional medicine between Ministry of AYUSH and the World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva. The long-term collaboration with WHO is likely to help in improving international acceptability and branding of alternative medicines. It will also facilitate awareness generation regarding AYUSH systems of medicine by means of education, skill development, workshops, publications and exchange programs between AYUSH and WHO for capacity building, facilitate advocacy and dissemination of information on AYUSH systems among the member states.
 
The two sides will collaborate with third parties for creating synergies in implementation of WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023 particularly in the context of AYUSH systems.
   
Ministry of AYUSH having the mandate to promote, propagate and globalise the recognised Traditional and Complementary Systems of Medicine (T&CM) including ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, unani, siddha, sowa rigpa and homeopathy, proposes to collaborate and cooperate with the WHO. Within the United Nations framework, WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health. It provides leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.
 
During the presentation of Ministry of AYUSH in July 2014, PM Narendra Modi suggested that the Ministry needs to seize the opportunities for taking a lead in the world at a time when holistic health care has gained currency. India should strive to compete with China, when it comes to export of herbal medicine. It was emphasised that roadmap be prepared to establish India’s credentials in holistic healthcare, including preparation of authoritative and credible literature.
 
Given the strategic importance of collaboration between India and WHO for enhancing global positioning and acceptability of traditional systems of medicine recognised in India, Ministry of AYUSH is aiming to foster a long-term relationship with WHO.

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First Published: Feb 18 2016 | 3:39 PM IST

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