WHO to establish Global Centre of Traditional Medicine in India -

New Delhi: – Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced, on Friday, that the World Health Organisation (WHO) will be establishing Global Centre of Traditional Medicine in India. The Prime Minister said that this was a matter of pride for India. The Prime Minister dedicated two National Ayurveda Institutions to the nation. The Prime Minister was speaking on this occasion.

The Prime Minister dedicated the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) at Jamnagar and National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) at Jaipur to the nation. The University Grants Commission has awarded deemed university status to these institutions. ITRA will emerge as an institution making Ayurvedic health services available on the global level. ITRA has 12 departments, three medical laboratories and three research laboratories. The institute has undertaken 33 research projects. ITRA has been formed by integrating four Ayurvedic institutions operating on the campus of Gujarat Ayurveda University at Jamnagar.

The global demand for Ayurvedic products has increased during the Coronavirus pandemic. Compared to last year, exports of Ayurvedic products have increased by 45%. The strengths of the traditional Indian medicine systems and Ayurveda are being realised by the world. The Prime Minister said that Ayurveda has an important place in the medical world. The Prime Minister underlined that Ayurveda is not only an alternative, but it is the foundation for the national health policy.

WHO announced that it would establish a Global Centre of Traditional Medicine in India. A video message from Director-General of the WHO, Tedros Ghebreyesus, was played at this time. Tedros Ghebreyesus said that Ayurveda is an Indian heritage and this Indian traditional knowledge enriching even the other countries is very pleasing. The Indian Prime Minister thanked the WHO for selecting India for the Global Centre of Traditional Medicine.