Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan during the launch of First National Anti-Tuberculosis Drug Resistance Survey, India 2014-15, in New Delhi on Saturday. (Source: PTI photo) Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan during the launch of First National Anti-Tuberculosis Drug Resistance Survey, India 2014-15, in New Delhi on Saturday. (Source: PTI photo)

India has a healthcare vision for the world supported by its ancient system of holistic medication and is committed to extending cooperation and expertise to its neighbours, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said here on Friday.

“We have a (healthcare) vision not only for India but for the entire world…while we will work for the people of the region,” Vardhan told PTI on the sidelines of a four-day conference of World Health Organisation (WHO).

Vardhan, a doctor by training, said India was willing to enter into a comprehensive partnership with Bangladesh and expanded cooperation in healthcare as his Bangladeshi counterpart Mohammad Nasim wanted expanded cooperation in this sector.

“We have developed good relations…and I am fully committed to him (Nasim)…we are going to help them (Bangladesh health ministry) in a big way,” he said.

Vardhan earlier witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for enhanced cooperation in the fields of traditional medicines like Ayurveda and Unani, as WHO decided to lay an extra focus on the issue as an “important part of healthcare” in the region.

Under the deal, the two countries agreed to exchange traditional medicines, and experts and physicians for conducting training, officials said.

Vardhan said despite being an allopathic doctor “my heart goes to traditional medicine”. He also stressed the need for extensive researches and training in the healthcare system.

“We are aware that Ayurveda today needs more research, and drugs need better manufacturing practices…(but) we would like this ancient system to be used for effective healing of mind and body and to be restored to its old glory by making it a holistic part of our healthcare,” he said.

When asked wheather the huge pharmaceutical industry have blocked the progress of traditional medicine systems, he said: “Neither the modern medicine nor the traditional medicine systems want to replace each other.”

Vardhan stressed the need for a change in lifestyle and outlook through a social movement for a healthy mind and body.

“Health is not physical (issue) alone…it is related to mind and soul. Preventive and positive health is my passion and this occupy 80 per cent of the health space.”

He said the objective of a heathcare system should be to ensure physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being of people.

“We are in the process to launch massive offensive against non-communicable diseases…we are going to work against malnutrition, obesity, and tuberculosis,” he said.

Vardhan said the Narendra Modi-led government In India was in a process of overhauling the healthcare system through review of procurements, plugging deficiencies and upgrading district hospitals into medical colleges to tackle shortage of doctors and medical personnel.

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