India, Sao Tome to witness enhanced traditional medical relations soon

NewsBharati    26-Apr-2018
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New Delhi, April 26: There is a very ancient relation of Traditional Medicine with our nation. So to enhance it more and spread the message of traditional message across the other countries, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Sao Tome in Principe for Cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine, Medical Plants and Homoeopathy has been approved inked in last month.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra has nodded for these bilateral activities. The MoU, will enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the areas of Traditional Systems of Medicine. This will be of immense importance to both countries considering their shared cultural heritage.

Background:

India is blessed with well- developed systems of traditional medicine including medicinal plants, which hold tremendous potential in the global health scenario.

The Indian Ministry of AYUSH  having the mandate to promote, propagate and globalize the Traditional Systems of Medicine including Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy has taken effective steps by entering into MoU with the Government of Malaysia, Government of Trinidad & Tobago, Government of Hungry, Government of Bangladesh, Government of Nepal, Government of Mauritius, Government of Mongolia, Government of Iran for Cooperation in Traditional Medicine. Another MoU is proposed to be signed with the Government of Sri Lanka.

India is having 15 agro-climatic zones. Out of the 17000-18000 species of flowering plants, more than 7000 are estimated to have medicinal usage in folk and documented systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha & Homoeopathy (AYUSH System of Medicine). About 1178 species of medicinal plants are estimated to be in trade of which 242 species have annual consumption levels in excess of 100 metric tonnes/year. Medicinal plants are not only a major resource base for the traditional medicine & herbal industry but also provide livelihood and health security to a large segment of Indian population.

There is the global resurgence in traditional and alternative health care systems resulting in world herbal trade which stands at US$ 120 billion and is expected to reach US$ 7 trillion by 2050. Moreover, there are a large number of medicinal plants, particularly those found in the tropical region, which is common to the two countries given similar geo-climatic factors.

Keeping in view the need for promotion and propagation of AYUSH systems, of medicine and Medicinal Plants Sector in Sao Tome and Principe, our standard draft MoU for the country to country cooperation in the field of Medicinal Plants was shared with the concerned authorities of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe.