Centre inks MoU with WHO for promoting Indian traditional medical system

Thrissur: Union minister of state for Ayush Shripad Naik on Monday said that the Centre has signed an MoU with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to make India’s traditional systems of medicine part of all WHO programmes.

Talking to reporters here, the minister said the programmes will cover both the research and treatment scheme undertaken by the WHO in different countries. This will also aid patenting of Indian traditional medicines and practices, Naik said.

He said the Centre will support setting up of 50-bedded Ayurveda hospitals in all the districts across the country.

The facilities at the Central Research Institute For Homoeopathy, Kottayam would be upgraded so that it will have the status of an international centre undertaking both research and treatment. ``The Centre would be ready to invest whatever amount is required for this,’’ the minister said.

Naik also disclosed that an ayurvedic treatment was being set up at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. Steps would be taken to set up such centres in other AIIMS units also.

The minister said the Centre would share 60 per cent of the cost of district-level hospitals and the States would have to bear the remaining 40 per cent of the cost.

He said the Centre would sanction up to Rs 12 crore each to each of such district hospitals, based on the requests from state governments. Kerala has not submitted the proposal so far, and the Centre would respond favourably when the state approaches, he said.

Replying to questions, the minister said if the states like Kerala have already set up district Ayurveda hospitals they can utilise the Centre’s funds for augmenting the facilities in them.

The Centre would also provide support to set up yoga and wellness centres in all the villages. The amounts will vary from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 12 lakh per year to such centres, depending on their size, the Minister said.
An inter-ministerial panel, comprising of minister holding charge of health, tourism and agriculture, would be set up to promote health tourism, Naik said.


Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.