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WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit’ begins in Gandhinagar

Highlights of Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel’s address

Gandhinagar, August 17: Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel addressing the Inaugural ceremony of ‘WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit’ stated that The Upanishad ‘Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah Sarve Santu Niramaya’ is equivalent to the motto of Global Summit i.e. ‘Health and Well-being for all.”

The Traditional Medicine Global Summit was held at Gandhinagar in the presence of the Director General of WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Minister of Health Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for AYUSH Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of State for AYUSH Dr. Mahendra Munjapara, Minister of Health of Bhutan Ms Lyonpo (Dasho) Dechen Wangmo, Gujarat Health Minister Shri Rushikesh Patel, WHO Regional Directors, Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Dr. Vivian Tatiana, and Dr. Hans Kluge.

Indian culture has given the world the ideology of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ considering the world as one family. Moreover, this culture always aims for the welfare and good health of all, the CM said. He further added that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has illuminated the rich heritage of Indian medical practices and Ayurvedic knowledge to the country and the world for the well-being of all human beings.

“Prime Minister is committed to minimizing the hardships of the entire globe by sharing the experiences and knowledge of India’s 21st century with the world,” CM added.

Shri Bhupendra Patel also said that when the whole world was under the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had contributed immensely towards increasing the immunity of people with Ayurvedic/Herbal Ukala, medicines, and other products by developing AYUSH-Ayurveda sector.

Chief Minister said, “After the pandemic, the demand for Ayurvedic medicines and products has increased worldwide and the centuries-old Indian methods of traditional medicine are back in contention in the field of health care today. With the inspiration of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Jamnagar has been selected for setting up WHO’s Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Gujarat.”

The Chief Minister emphasized the elevated stature of Gujarat due to the establishment of the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) in Jamnagar. He highlighted that this world-class healthcare institution consists of 14 departments and 6 laboratories, all accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Research Laboratories (NABL).

Due to the Prime Minister’s emphasis on Ayurvedic treatment and products, the Ministry of AYUSH observes Ayurveda Day annually on Dhanvantari Jayanti, said the CM.

Highlighting the abundant opportunities for investments and advancements in the AYUSH sector, the Chief Minister emphasized that avenues for innovation and investment exist in various domains, including nutrients, drug supply chain management, AYUSH-oriented diagnostic tools, and telemedicine.

He further noted that under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister, initiatives like ‘AYUSH Visa’ and ‘AYUSH Mark’ have been introduced to elevate Ayurveda, Unani, Homeopathy, and Yoga to a global platform.

The Chief Minister conveyed his optimism that in the forthcoming years, AYUSH services will be shared with emerging nations through the ‘Heal in India, Heal by India’ policy.

Furthermore, as part of the G20 Health Ministers’ meeting during the G20 India Presidency, the inaugural WHO Summit on Traditional Medicine is slated to take place in Gandhinagar from August 17th to 19th. This summit, themed “Towards Health and Well-being for All”, aims to foster discussions on the role of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine in addressing health issues and expediting advancements in global health and sustainable development.

Source: Information Department, Gujarat