For the first time ever, luminaries from across the world met in Delhi to discuss the strengthening and scientific validation of traditional systems of medicine.

The four-day event — International Arogya 2017 — is hosting 1,500 delegates from across 60 countries. India is the world’s second largest exporter of medicinal plants after China and both countries together produce more than 70 per cent of the total global demand for herbal products, a whitepaper launched at the event notes.

The event will see discussions around Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy (AYUSH), Naturopathy, and ancient Tibetan practice of medicine — Sowa-Rigpa. The Indian domestic market for AYUSH is estimated to be Rs 500 crore, while exports amount to Rs 200 crore.

Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Commerce & Industry said, “With a wealth of 6,600 medicinal plants, India is the second largest exporter of AYUSH and herbal products in the world. We now have an opportunity to bring the Indian system of medicine in the mainstream, and integrate the AYUSH infrastructure into the Indian healthcare system. This infrastructure consists of 1,355 hospitals with 53,296-bed capacity, 22,635 dispensaries, 450 undergraduate colleges, 9,493 licensed manufacturing units, and 7.18 lakh registered practitioners. We want to tap the maximum potential of AYUSH systems in imparting preventive, promotive, and holistic healthcare to the people.

Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of AYUSH, said, An agreement has been signed with the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop benchmarks for Yoga, Ayurveda, Unani and Panchkarma. Five AYUSH information cells have been set up in Israel, Tajikistan, Peru, Russia, and Tanzania.