Need to spread Ayurveda all over the world: Health experts

There is a need to take India's age-old Ayurvedic system of medicine to every nation so that it can be integrated into their public health systems, international health experts said here Saturday.

Natalia Marzoa Silva of the Cuban health ministry said her government is eager to include the Indian medicine system in primary and higher medical education in Cuba.

"Ayurveda can have a place in the healthcare system of Cuba. Ayurveda can be utilised to treat cancer in our country as the disease has become the third biggest cause of deaths," she said.

Silva was speaking at a plenary session, Global perspective on Ayurveda, at the ongoing World Ayurveda Congress here.

"A large number of people come to India to study Ayurveda, but they return armed with diplomas after studying for only three months," said Gregor Kos from the health ministry of Slovenia while calling for effective regulation.

"We will work with the Department of Ayush under the Union Ministry of Health to put quality control in place," added Kos.

Health officials also called for strict quality control in traditional medicines in the backdrop of an increasing number of people abroad willing to be tested by Ayurveda specialists.

Maldives health minister Mohammed Habeeb said: "I am eagerly waiting for the day when Ayurveda will be a prominent part of the healthcare system of my country."

Indian Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, who chaired the session, said: "We are determined to increase international cooperation in traditional medicine by signing MoUs with other countries to render cooperation in the field of research and for standardisation of the medicine system and practice."

He said that a MoU with Malaysia in the field of traditional medicine has been signed under which the health ministries of the two countries have already held two bilateral technical meetings to enhance cooperation.

"India has also instituted 20 seats each for students from South East Asian countries to study Ayurveda in Indian educational institutions," he informed.