Traditional Medicine Global Summit 2023: Ayush Ministry, WHO Collaborate to Host event in Gandhinagar

The Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the WHO, is set to host the inaugural Traditional Medicine Global Summit on August 17 and 18, 2023, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. This significant event aims to shed light on the pivotal role that traditional medicine and Ayurveda can play in addressing contemporary health challenges and fostering sustainable global development.

Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, shared insights about the summit during a press briefing held today at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Lav Agarwal, was also present during the event. The upcoming Traditional Medicine Global Summit, co-hosted by the Ministry of Ayush and the WHO, is expected to delve into the multifaceted applications of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine in tackling pressing global health concerns and steering progress towards sustainable development.

Responding to inquiries about holistic healthcare within Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha emphasized the ongoing efforts across various platforms to advance traditional medicine systems. He underscored that evidence-based research is being rigorously conducted in the realm of Ayurveda and related disciplines to address ailments ranging from cancer and tuberculosis to communicable diseases, women's health, and child health, all grounded in a scientific approach.

Vd. Kotecha spoke with great passion about India's prominent role in the field of traditional medicine. He mentioned that the G20 provides a distinctive opportunity to display India's significant progress in this area. He highlighted that over the course of nine years, India's advancements in the sector of traditional medicine have expanded by a factor of eight. He also anticipated that by the conclusion of the year, a total of more than 12,500 Ayush-based Health & Wellness centers would likely be operational throughout the nation, with 8,500 centers already functioning.

Vd. Kotecha also highlighted the upcoming Ayush visa as a means to provide global access to India's traditional medicine systems, heralding a new era of comprehensive healthcare. He further mentioned the Ayush Exhibition Zone as a noteworthy attraction of the summit, promising an immersive experience through innovative and interactive kiosks.

During the press briefing, the Ayush Secretary commended the collaboration between the Indian government and the WHO for organizing this significant international event focusing on Traditional Medicine. The establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in 2022, the first and largest of its kind in a developing country, was underscored as a landmark achievement.

With representatives from health ministries of 30 countries slated to attend, this two-day summit is poised to be one of the most substantial gatherings of its kind. The event will draw participants from over 90 countries, including distinguished academics, government officials, and key stakeholders within the traditional medicine sector.

Lav Agarwal, while presenting an overview of India's healthcare sector, highlighted the nation's progress, challenges, and current priorities. Holding the current G20 presidency, he emphasized India's strengths in healthcare and the need to leverage these strengths for the advancement of the global healthcare sector. Agarwal also acknowledged India's contribution to wellness worldwide, with the proliferation of Yoga Centres even in remote corners of the globe. He stressed India's approach of embracing holistic healthcare through a combination of modern medicine and Ayurveda.