With the mandate of promotion and recognition of AYUSH in the international practice of medicines, Ministry of AYUSH has signed Country to Country Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for Cooperation in field of Traditional Medicine and Homoeopathy with foreign governments.
As of now, Ministry of AYUSH has signed 25 Country to Country MoUs for Cooperation in field of Traditional Medicine and Homoeopathy namely Nepal, Bangladesh, Hungary, Trinidad & Tobago, Malaysia, WHO Geneva, Mauritius, Mongolia, Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Germany (Joint declaration), Iran, Sao Tome & Príncipe, Equatorial Guinea, Cuba, Colombia, Japan (MoC), Bolivia, Gambia, Republic of Guinea, China, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Suriname, Brazil and Zimbabwe. 23 MoUs for undertaking collaborative research in AYUSH systems of medicine and 13 MoUs for setting up of AYUSH academic Chairs have been signed have been signed with various foreign institutes/ universities.
Ministry of AYUSH under its Fellowship Scheme extends financial support to the eligible foreign nationals for undertaking UG, PG and Ph.D courses in various premier AYUSH Institutes in India. The Fellowship Scheme aims at achieving recognition and acceptance of our traditional medicine systems abroad.
Medical qualifications granted by medical institutes outside India are included in the third Schedule of HCC, 1973 on reciprocal basis.
To support recognition of AYUSH systems at international level, Ministry of AYUSH undertakes various activities under Central Sector Scheme for promotion of International Cooperation, (IC Scheme).
AYUSH experts are deputed to foreign countries to participate in international meetings, conferences, training programmes, seminars and on special assignment of the Government of India for promotion and propagation of AYUSH Systems including Ayurveda. Financial assistance is also provided for presentation of AYUSH related scientific research papers in international conferences, workshops, seminar etc.
Incentives are provided to AYUSH drug manufacturers/ entrepreneurs/ AYUSH institutions, AYUSH drug and Hospitals etc. for (a) participating in International exhibitions/ conferences/ workshops/ seminars/ road shows/ trade fairs, etc. for generating awareness amongst the participating public about the AYUSH systems of medicine and; (b) registration of AYUSH products with regulatory authorities of the foreign countries USFDA/EMEA/UK-MHRA/ NHPD (Canada)/ TGA etc. There is a provision of financial support up to Rs. 1.00 Crores for strengthening of Health Centre(s)/ Institution(s) in the foreign host country.
With the consistent efforts of the Ministry, many countries have recognized AYUSH systems of medicine. Ayurveda is recognized in Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri-Lanka, UAE, Colombia, Malaysia, Switzerland, South Africa, Cuba, Tanzania.Romania, Hungary, Latvia, Serbia and Slovenia are 5 countries of European Union (EU), where Ayurvedic treatment is regulated. Unani system is recognized in Bangladesh and Siddha system is recognized in Sri Lanka.
Practices of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani are recognised under ‘The Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970’ (IMCC Act 1970) and practice of Homoeopathy is recognized under ‘The Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973’ (HCC Act 1973). The rights of practitioners are defined in section 17 (2) and section 29 of IMCC Act 1970 and section 15 (2) and section 26 of HCC Act 1973 which is equivalent to the rights of practitioners defined in section 15 (2) and section 27 of ‘The Indian Medical Council Act, 1956’ (IMC Act 1956).
The pay structure of General Medical Duty Officer (GDMO) under CGHS for Ayurvedic, Homoeopathic, Unani, Siddha & Allopathic doctors is at par.
The Minister of State (The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy), Sh. Kiren Rijiju (Additional Charge) stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.
*****
MV/SJ