WHO selects India to set up traditional medicine centre

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, November 13

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today dedicated two future-ready Ayurveda institutions to the nation to mark the 5th Ayurveda Day even as the World Health Organisation chose India to host a centre for traditional medicine.

Inaugurating virtually The Institute of Teaching & Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) at Jamnagar (an Institute of national importance) and the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) in Jaipur (a deemed university), the PM said the world was increasingly embracing traditional medicine. He said the exports of ayurvedic products had risen 45 per cent this September compared to last year.

During the event today, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus gave a video message announcing that the WHO had decided to establish a Global Centre of Traditional Medicine in India.

Hailing the WHO decision, PM Modi said, “Ayurveda is Indian heritage and it is a matter of happiness that India’s traditional knowledge is enriching other countries too.” He said the need of the hour was to bring ayurveda knowledge out of books, scriptures and home remedies and develop this ancient knowledge as per modern needs. He said work was on to develop the National Sowa-Rigpa Institute for Research and other studies related to Sowa-Rigpa in Leh.

Calling upon the Education Ministry and the UGC to find new avenues in disciplines like ayurveda physics and ayurveda chemistry, the PM said start-ups and private sector should study the global trends and demands and ensure their participation in the sector.

Modi pointed out that during the corona period, the demand for ayurvedic products had increased rapidly all over the world.

“The exports of ayurvedic products increased by 45 per cent in September this year compared to the previous year. There has been a significant increase in exports of spices like turmeric and ginger, considered immunity boosters. This shows the sudden boost in confidence in ayurvedic solutions and Indian spices in the world,” he said.

Modi hails decision

The export of ayurvedic products has increased . There has been a significant rise in the export of spices like turmeric and ginger, considered immunity boosters. The confidence in ayurvedic solutions and Indian spices is growing. — Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

Medicine strategy

This new centre will support our efforts to implement WHO’s traditional medicine strategy, which aims to support nations in developing policies & action plans to strengthen the role of traditional medicine as part of their journey to universal health coverage. — TA Ghebreyesus, WHO chief

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