CCRAS to organise National Consultative Meet on “Research Priority Settings in Traditional Medicine” in collaboration with WHO

The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Ayush, is set to organise a one-day National Consultative Meet on “Research Priority Settings in Traditional Medicine” today on June 24, 2024, at the India Habitat Center, New Delhi. 

The event is held in collaboration with the WHO – SEARO (World Health Organisation-South-East Asia Regional office) and WHO-GTMC (Global Traditional Medicine Center).

According to the statement published, the consultative meet will bring together representatives from diverse domains of Traditional Medicine (TM) in India, including policymakers, academic institutions, researchers, patients, and industry stakeholders. The aim is to identify and prioritise key research areas across various traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homeopathy. This initiative is in accordance with the WHO mandate in TM, as reported by Vaidya Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS.

The meet will feature participation from traditional medicine representatives across the country, including Advisors and Joint secretaries of the Ministry of Ayush, representatives from NITI Aayog, Director Generals of all five Ayush research councils, Chairman and president of National Commissions(NCISM & NCH), Vice-chancellors of Ayush/Ayurveda Universities, Directors of National Institutes under ministry of Ayush, representative from PHFI, RIS-FITM, CSIR, BIS, ICMR, WHO, Ayush pharmaceutical industries, Ethnopharmacology from TDU and other organisations.

Key topics to be addressed include medicinal plant research, quality, safety, and efficacy studies, pre-clinical validations, rational use of traditional medicines, clinical trial monitoring, medical anthropology, and the digitalisation of ancient medical literature. Approximately 100 stakeholders/ experts from Ayush sector will participate, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue.

This one-day national consultative meet aims to lay the groundwork for a decade-long research strategy in traditional medicine, fostering the exchange of ideas among stakeholders and aligning efforts with WHO guidelines. This collaborative approach is expected to significantly contribute to the advancement and integration of traditional medicine practices globally.