Aim is to integrate Ayurveda with modern medicine: Harsh Vardhan

New Delhi, Nov 6: The Government will set up an exclusive drug control department to facilitate Research and development, monitor quality control and standardise the manufacturing of medicinal products of Ayurveda and other traditional Indian treatment systems, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said today.

"Under the newly created AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) Mission, centre would provide funding support to states wanting to set up manufacturing facilities and create manpower for the traditional medicine industry," said Vardhan at the inauguration of the Arogya Expo organised alongside the 6th World Ayurveda Congress here.

"The chief objective of the mission is to encourage integration of Ayush with modern medicine and create a holistic healthcare system that can be emulated globally and which will achieve the universal goal of health for all, he said.

"Ayurveda is not just a matter of sentiment for us. We work with scientific minds and this government is aggressively focused on research," he added.

The Arogya Expo, which will continue till November 9, features 400 stalls set up by leading traditional medicine manufacturers from around the country.

It also has 20 speciality clinics offering free consultation and medicines to visitors. The sixth edition of the World Ayurveda Congress, which will be inaugurated tomorrow (Friday) by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, has 'Ayurveda and Health Challenges' as its focal theme.

It is being organised by the Department of AYUSH, in collaboration with the World Ayurveda Foundation and the Delhi Government.

PTI