The Ministry of Ayush has introduced a Central Sector Scheme for the Promotion of International Cooperation for AYUSH with the aim of enhancing global awareness, interest, and recognition of AYUSH systems, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy. This initiative seeks to position AYUSH as a significant contributor to global healthcare, education, and research.
Key Objectives of the Scheme
- Promoting Global Awareness: Strengthen international interest and understanding of AYUSH systems.
- Facilitating International Recognition: Promote the development and acceptance of AYUSH globally.
- Market and Stakeholder Development: Support interaction and collaboration among stakeholders while enhancing market opportunities for AYUSH products and services.
- Expert Exchange and Research: Facilitate the exchange of experts and information to advance AYUSH research, training, and education internationally.
- Establishing AYUSH Academic Chairs: Set up AYUSH Chairs at foreign universities to promote academic collaboration, research, and public awareness.
Major Initiatives Under the Scheme
- Boost to Exports: Support Indian AYUSH manufacturers and service providers in promoting exports of AYUSH products and services.
- Global Recognition: Facilitate the inclusion of a “Traditional Medicine” chapter in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10 and 11).
- Research and Collaboration: Undertake collaborative research and establish partnerships with international institutes.
- WHO Collaboration: Partner with the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine to strengthen global traditional healthcare systems.
- Promotion Events: Organize training programs, workshops, and symposiums to enhance international awareness of AYUSH systems.
Achievements and Partnerships
- Signed 24 Country-to-Country MoUs for cooperation in traditional medicine and homoeopathy.
- Established 15 AYUSH Academic Chairs in foreign nations, including Bangladesh, Australia, Mauritius, Latvia, and Malaysia.
- Set up 42 AYUSH Information Cells across 38 countries to provide authentic AYUSH-related information.
- Scholarships for foreign nationals under the International AYUSH Fellowship/Scholarship Program for studying AYUSH courses in India.
Functional AYUSH Academic Chairs
The Ministry’s AYUSH Chairs, operational in several countries, aim to foster academic and research collaborations and increase public awareness of AYUSH benefits. These Chairs are established either through bilateral agreements or upon the interest of foreign institutions. Key highlights include:
- Funding and Support: The Ministry provides salaries and travel expenses for the AYUSH expert, while host universities offer rent-free accommodation and hospitality.
- Tenure: The initial tenure is one year, extendable up to three years.
- Impact: The Chairs enhance AYUSH’s global reputation, contributing to its acceptance and integration into the host countries’ healthcare and academic systems.
International Collaborations
The Ministry actively participates in international trade fairs, bilateral/multilateral meetings, and technical training programs. It also facilitates expert exchanges with foreign countries for joint initiatives in traditional medicine and healthcare.
This information was shared by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, in a written response to the Rajya Sabha today.
