India and Germany to collaborate for research in traditional medicine

Union Cabinet approves joint declaration of intent between Germany and India to promote Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH).

Alternate medicine got some more boost, with the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approving Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) between Germany and India that would lead to significant collaboration in the field between the two countries.

India is taking great initiatives to promote AYUSH globally(GOI)

Initiation of collaborative research, training and scientific capacity building in the field of alternative medicine under the JDI is also expected to contribute to the enhanced employment opportunities in the field of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH).

There are no additional financial implications involved. The financial resources necessary to conduct research, training courses, conferences and meetings will be met from the existing allocated budget and existing plan schemes of Ministry of AYUSH.

While India is blessed with well-developed systems of traditional medicine which hold tremendous potential in the global health scenario, Germany also has considerable interest in traditional systems of medicine.

The Ministry of AYUSH as a part of its mandate to propagate Indian systems of medicine globally has taken effective steps by entering into MoUs with China, Malaysia, Trinidad & Tobago Hungary, Bangladesh, Nepal, Mauritius, Mongolia and Myanmar.

The Ministry has taken many initiatives for promotion of Ayurveda in Germany with the recommendation and cooperation of the Indian Embassy in Berlin.

One of the major initiatives is the collaborative research Project between the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) and Charite University, Berlin on Osteoarthritis of the knee.

The results of the trial are encouraging and the clinical trial demonstrates significant improvement in patients. The study has been completed successfully and is under publication.

A delegation led by AYUSH minister, Shripad Yesso Naik, had visited Germany in October last year to participate in the 2nd European World Ayurveda Congress (EWAC) and had interactions with the authorities in Germany.

During the visit a bilateral meeting was held between representatives of the two countries and it was agreed to begin the process of drafting and negotiating a JDl in the field of AYUSH and Natural medicine.