Kolkata: The ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with a number of foreign countries to promote research and development of traditional medicines abroad.
The AYUSH ministry recently entered into an agreement with various institutions across the globe that include the National Centre for Natural Products Research (NCNPR), University of Mississippi in USA, Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine in UK, College of Homeopaths of Ontario (CHO) Canada, United States Pharmacopoeia Convention, Universidad Maimonides, Buenos Aires, Argentina and Medical Research Infrastructure and Health Services of Tel Aviv.
The system of Ayurvedic medication has a significant role in delivering healthcare to masses. It is cost-effective and benefits economically challenged patients.
According to sources, the AYUSH ministry has signed MoUs with these countries as they have shown interest in promoting AYUSH as a method of treatment.
It will also chalk out a detailed plan on how traditional modes of treatment can be adopted in foreign countries.
It may be mentioned here that the ministry tied up with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to promote India's traditional form of medical treatment. The ministry in assistance with the WHO, has been developing a standard terminology in Ayurveda, Unani, Sidhha so that the terms which are originally in Sanskrit can be comprehended by the people in foreign countries. The main purpose behind the tie up is to promote the quality and safety of traditional system and medicine and consumer protection. Ayurveda morbidity codes and standard terminology have been prepared so that AYUSH can be adopted in foreign hospitals. Ministry of AYUSH has already established North Eastern Institute of Folk Medicine in Arunachal Pradesh as a premier research Institute in all aspects of folk medicine knowledge with linkages and collaboration with other research institutions.
The government is documenting ethno-medical claims in a structural format through Medico-Ethno-Botanical Survey Programme (MEBS) and Tribal Health Care Research Programme (THCRP) in 17 states.
Dr Sumit Sur, regional coordinator of Bengal, Odisha and North East, National Ayurveda Students' and Youth Association, said: "We welcome the step taken by the Union AYUSH ministry. The tie-up with foreign countries will help in the promotion of our oldest and traditional methods of treatment."