Ayush Minister addressed Conference on WHO GCTM and Global Ayush Investment & Innovation Summit

Rajkot: The Ministry of Ayush and the Government of Gujarat organized a curtain raiser press conference to discuss two pertinent developments in the field of traditional medicine in India- the groundbreaking event of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) and the convening of the Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit (GAIIS).

Both the events are being held in Gujarat and will be graced by the presence of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Mauritius Shri Pravind Jugnauth and the Director-General of WHO, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus. There will be a galaxy of ambassadors that will grace both the events. 

The WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine, the first of its kind in the world, will be inaugurated on April 19, 2022, in Jamnagar. The Centre aims to channel the potential of traditional medicine, by integrating it with technological advancements and evidence-based research. While Jamnagar will serve as the base, the new Centre aims to engage and benefit the world. The GCTM shall focus on four main strategic areas: evidence and learning; data and analytics; sustainability and equity; and innovation and technology to optimize the contribution of traditional medicine to global health.

The Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit will be held from April 20 to April 22, 2022, in Gandhinagar. The Summit aims to increase investments and showcase innovations in the field of traditional medicine. It is a unique attempt to foster long lasting partnerships, boost exports and nurture a sustainable ecosystem. 

At the press conference in Rajkot, esteemed guests such as Shri Sarbananda Sonawal, Union Minister for Ayush; Dr. Shri Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai, Minister of State for Ayush; and Shri Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, introduced the WHO Global Centre of Traditional Medicine and Global Ayush Innovation and Investment Summit (GAIIS). They discussed the key highlights of the partnership between the Ministry of Ayush and the WHO, and emphasized the importance of investment and innovations in the field of traditional medicine in the post-Covid world. The conference was also attended by Shri Manoj Agrawal, Additional Chief Secretary, from the Health Department of the Government of Gujarat.

Commenting on the upcoming events, Shri Sarbananda Sonawal, Union Minister for Ayush said,” Both the events will mark a milestone for India’s Ayush industry. The Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit present an opportunity for India to create a global market for Ayurvedic and herbal products. We are standing at the doors of a golden era, where we can capitalize on our traditional knowledge, and use it to serve the world.” He further added, “Global Centre for Traditional Medicine represents WHO’s and India’s outstanding commitment to global health. Standing at the juncture of advanced technology and ancient wisdom, the only way ahead of us is upwards.”

The GCTM seeks to set policies and standards on traditional medicine products and help countries create a comprehensive, safe, and high-quality health system. Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit is an initiative to strategize India’s efforts in becoming a global hub of traditional products, practices, and related services.

About the Ministry of Ayush
The Ministry of Ayush was formed on the 9th of November 2014 with a vision of reviving the profound knowledge of our ancient systems of medicine and ensuring the optimal development and propagation of the Ayush systems of healthcare. Earlier, the Department of Indian System of Medicine and Homoeopathy (ISM&H) formed in 1995, was responsible for the development of these systems.

It was then renamed as the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (Ayush) in November 2003 with focused attention towards education and research in Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy. Sowa Rigpa was added to the list of traditional medicine systems recognized by the Ministry in 2010.

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