Government Is Eyeing A Three-Fold Increase In The AYUSH Sector By 2022: Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha

The healthcare system is on the upward move. Recently, there was a felicitation of the new leadership of the Indian Healthcare System where Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha was honoured for his position as Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan on her esteemed appointment as the Deputy Director General of Programmes (DDP) at the WHO and Dr Geetha Krishnan on his appointment as the first AYUSH expert in 14 years at the WHO.

We are on the right path to making a mark with our Indian conventional healthcare system. The 1st international exhibition and conference on AYUSH and wellness, International Arogya 2017 was launched at Vigyan Bhavan yesterday. The four-day event is being supported by the PHD Chamber of Commerce, World Ayurveda Foundation (WAF), Vijnana Bharati, and National Ayurveda Students & Youth Associations (NASYA).

It has been organized by FICCI in collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, and Pharmexcil with a passionate endeavor to boost exports of AYUSH products and showcase the strength and scientific validation of traditional systems of medicine including Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), and to facilitate their worldwide promotion, development, and recognition. The mainstreaming of the potential of AYUSH within a pluralistic system of integrative health care is being strongly advocated.

In attendance are more than 1,500 delegates from India as well as visitors and hosted delegations from over 60 countries. More than 250 manufacturers of alternative medicine are showcasing their products and services at International Arogya 2017. The mega event has brought key stakeholders of AYUSH sector together under one roof to showcase latest research and developments in alternative medicine systems of India and boost exports of AYUSH products.

Delivering the special address at the inauguration ceremony, Shri Suresh Prabhu, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India, said: “In the recent past, we have seen a resurgence of interest in traditional systems of medicine due to their enormous utility in tackling lifestyle disorders. People from across the world are coming to India for health-restorative cum alternative treatments. 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 mainstream the Indian system of medicine and integrate the AYUSH infrastructure into the 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.”

Talking about the India opportunity, Shri Suresh Prabhu said: “The Indian domestic market of AYUSH is estimated to be Rs 500 crore, while exports amounted to Rs 200 crore. Young entrepreneurs planning a start-up could find a lot of opportunities in holistic healthcare. The AYUSH industry is expected to grow in double digits and provide direct employment to 1 million people and indirect employment to 25 million people by 2020. All stakeholders need to pool their resources to harness this vast potential.”

The commerce and industry minister said the government would be happy to work with all countries to create a good proposition wherein knowledge of traditional medicine can be transmitted to people, whereby a win-win situation can be developed. He pointed out that the government has allowed 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in AYUSH, and highlighted the need for stakeholders to pool in their resources to harness the sectors vast potential.

The secretary in the AYUSH ministry, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, shared that government is eyeing a three-fold increase in the AYUSH sector by 2022. He also reported that they have made plans and preparations and are sure and confident that they will be able to execute this size of this market, not only of products but knowledge and services too.

"We are looking at the happiness of the community, going global and providing solutions for the world at large,” elaborated Vaidya Kotecha on how the Indian healthcare systems of medication understand that health and happiness are synonymous and not different.

Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India, shared that, “An agreement has been signed with 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. The All India Institute of Ayurveda has been established at Delhi. The Government is offering incentives to AYUSH industry for international cooperation and encouraging certification of AYUSH products to facilitate exports. The AYUSH Premium Mark is part of a new, voluntary quality certification scheme to ensure the efficacy of Indian herbal products. There is now sufficient momentum to bring the traditional systems of medicine to a higher pedestal in healthcare.”

A White Paper "AYUSH for the World" by Frost & Sullivan was also launched at the event to offer a roadmap for AYUSH regulations and registration in ASEAN and BIMSTEC countries. It notes that India is the second largest exporter of Ayurvedic and alternate medicine to the world and has a potential to generate 3 million job opportunities. The Indian herbal market is valued at around Rs 5,000 crore currently, with an annual growth rate of 14%. More than 30,000 branded and 1,500 traditional AYUSH products are available in the country.

Sandeep Sinha, Vice President, Transformational Health (Healthcare) Practice, Frost & Sullivan expressed his happiness in being a part of FICCI International Arogya 2017 as the Knowledge Partner.

“The event will bring together industry thought leaders, manufacturers, and exporters of AYUSH products, along with Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of AYUSH, Pharmexcil and other key stakeholders. In the last few decades, traditional and herbal treatments have gained international acceptance and people increasingly are opting for these treatments owing to their safety, efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and resonance with the modern quest for a healthy lifestyle. The Frost & Sullivan whitepaper launched at the conference is a facilitation roadmap for AYUSH regulations and registration in ASEAN and BIMSTEC countries, to unlock value and realize the maximum potential of AYUSH benefits and access to the world," he said.

Ravi Uday Bhaskar, Director General Pharmexil conveyed his gratitude for the support of the of Ministry of Commerce and Industry in doing national and international events focused on traditional medicines with an objective to promote exports of Ayurveda and value-added extracts of medicinal herbs.

“These products today are exported to more than 100 countries and the top ten destinations are USA, Germany, UAE, Italy, Pakistan, Vietnam, Japan, Nepal, UK, and Russia. India exported USD 404 MN dollars during 2016-17. With a growth rate of more than 10 percent over 2015-16, it is estimated that by 2020 our exports of AYUSH and value-added products of medicinal herbs could touch USD 600 MN,” according to Bhaskar.

Secretary-General of FICCI, Dr. Sanjaya Baru expressed, “We are witnessing a highly receptive environment where the value of AYUSH systems are widely becoming recognized worldwide and is translating into growing global demand. A slew of reforms in administration, research strategies, nature of practice and education are underway, leading to heightened interest in the AYUSH system of medicine, both in India and abroad,”

Mr. A. Jayakumar, Secretary-General, World Ayurveda Foundation, welcomed all the Indian and international delegates at the event and shared his pleasure in their partnership with the government of India and FICCI for the International Arogya 2017. "In the years to come, this partnership will grow further,” he said.

During the summit, free health check-ups and consultations, counseling by specialists, lectures, Ayush, yoga demonstrations and naturopathy sessions are also being held.