NEW DELHI: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the Indo-ASEAN Conference on Traditional Medicine at Vigyan Bhawan here today. More than 75 delegates from 10 ASEAN countries attended the conference, which is aimed at enabling traditional medicine to be integrated with the modern medicine system to create a robust healthcare delivery system, ultimately achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being'. Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, said, "Hon'ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi ji enunciated 'Act East Policy' at the 12th ASEAN India Summit in Myanmar in 2014, giving new momentum to the strategic partnership. India's Act-East Policy emphasises Connectivity, commerce, and Culture. With this, there is renewed scope for enhanced cooperation to enable the rich traditional medicine of the region between India and ASEAN countries. This conference provides a platform to deliberate on various aspects of traditional medicine in order to attain UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 for Good Health and well-being. India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, believes in the Principle of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'. Traditional Medicine Systems have great potential to play a major role in achieving the aim of 'One Health' with smart integration with modern medicine systems to create a healthcare system with holistic wellness deliverables. I believe this forum will be another step towards India's principle of developing Vishwa Bandhutwa."
Highlighting the strategic role of Northeast India, Sarbananda Sonowal said, "Our Northeast India is blessed with rich bio-diversity as well as a proven heritage of folk medicine and traditional medicine. With the empowered Act East policy under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, Northeast India possesses immense potential to bridge the traditional medicinal practises of India as well as those of ASEAN countries, with the ultimate aim of creating a robust healthcare delivery system. Given the rich resources, Modiji's Act East policy provides an incubating environment for healthcare solution providers. With this effort, along with greater cooperation between ASEAN and India on traditional medicine via forums like this, Northeast India can play a pivotal role and has the potential to become a regional hub of healthcare delivery in this region." In an effort to enhance the scientific application of Traditional Medicines and promote knowledge sharing, the Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Mission to ASEAN, and the ASEAN Secretariat, organised this prestigious event. The conference is aimed at strengthening sustainable and resilient healthcare systems, working towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Health Coverage. His Excellency Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, shared his thoughts about the Conference through a video message. He congratulated the Ministry of Ayush for convening this conference on Traditional Medicines between India and ASEAN. He echoed the sentiments of shared cultural as well as traditional medicinal practises between India and ASEAN.
The Secretary-General highlighted three key points reflecting synergy between ASEAN and India in various aspects, including cooperation on public health through Traditional and Complementary medicine. An Abstract and Bio Book, a compilation by the Ministry of Ayush of Speakers Briefs from India and ASEAN along with abstracts of their presentations, was released on this occasion by Sarbananda Sonowal. The conference was also attended by Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai, Union Minister of State for Ayush and Women and Child Development, Government of India, as Guest of Honour. They were joined by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush; Kavita Garg, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush; Geetika Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Indo-Pacific), Ministry of External Affairs; Jaideep Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Ministry of Ayush; and other dignitaries, along with representatives from ASEAN countries. The Conference was divided into sessions with experts in Traditional Medicine from India and ASEAN sharing about the research they have done and other initiatives taken to protect people from COVID. The second session dealt with knowledge sharing on regulatory frameworks, quality control measures, and the integration of traditional medicine into healthcare systems. Dr. SRK Vidyarthi, Director, Ministry of Ayush, expressed his gratitude to the esteemed dignitaries, guests, and delegates with a Vote of Thanks. (IANS)
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