By: Vinod Kumar, Spl Correspondent PB, Dubai
Dubai, January 13, 2024 – The second International AYUSH Conference and Exhibition opened its doors today at the Dubai World Trade Centre, orchestrated by the Science India Forum and the Ministry of AYUSH. Running from January 13 to 15, the three-day event is dedicated to showcasing AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy) as a reliable healthcare system for preventing and managing Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases (NCDs).
The focal theme of the conference, “Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases – Prevention & Management through AYUSH,” aims to highlight AYUSH as a prevention-oriented and cost-effective approach to creating a disease-free society. With over 1500 experts expected from India, the Middle East, Far East, Africa, Europe, Australia, and America, the conference is set to become a global platform for discussions and collaborations in the field of traditional medicine.
V. Muraleedharan, the Minister of State for External Affairs in the Government of India, who was the chief guest at the inaugural event, expressed enthusiasm for the 2nd International AYUSH Conference and Exhibition in his recent speech. The event, featuring over 50 talks, 300 research papers, and 1300 global delegates, aims to shed light on AYUSH systems’ efficacy in preventing and managing Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases (NCDs). Minister Muraleedharan emphasized the timely nature of the conference, given the alarming global statistics of over 41 million annual NCD-related fatalities.
The minister highlighted India’s ancient AYUSH traditions, which are gaining international recognition and popularity post-COVID. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the government has actively promoted AYUSH, evident in initiatives like the National AYUSH Mission and alignment with the World Health Organization’s Traditional Medicine Strategy. Minister Muraleedharan expressed gratitude to the UAE for supporting AYUSH practices and anticipated the conference would further strengthen India-UAE collaboration in traditional medicines and medical tourism. He also invited participation in the historic visit of PM Modi to inaugurate the BAPS Hindu Mandir in the UAE, expecting it to be the largest gathering of Indians to witness the transformative leader’s address.
Acknowledging the support from the UAE government in approving traditional medicine practices, he expressed gratitude for the over 500 AYUSH practitioners in the UAE. The Minister anticipated that the conference would strengthen India-UAE collaboration in traditional medicines and medical tourism. He highlighted the potential of India becoming a health and wellness hub, attracting investments and creating jobs. Dubai’s strategic position was acknowledged as having the potential to disseminate knowledge about AYUSH systems globally.
In his speech, Satish Kumar Sivan, CGI Dubai, underscored the potential for collaboration in holistic health and wellness between India and the UAE. He referenced the MOU signed between India and UAE during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit for investment in innovative healthcare products. All these are pointers to the fact that there is vast potential for the two countries to tap into in the field of holistic health and Wellness. What better way to do it than collaborate in the field of traditional medicine.
Key participants in the inaugural ceremony included BK Shivani, a spiritual mentor representing the Brahma Kumaris; Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, the Director General of the Dubai Health Authority; Shri Siddharth Balachandran and Shri Mohan, who serve as Chairman and Co-Chair of the Organising Committee; Dr. V.L. Shyam, the General Secretary of the Organising Committee; Shri Bishwajit Kumar Singh, the Joint Secretary at the Ministry of AYUSH; and Dubai University President Dr. Eesa Mohammed Al Al Bastak. Dr. Marwan Al Mulla, the CEO of the Health Regulation Sector at the Dubai Health Authority, will further enrich the conference with his expertise in health regulations.