Representatives from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Global Affairs (OGA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), and U.S. academic institutions participated in the conference.From the Indian side, experts of AYUSH system in India, Oncologists and Scientists from premier Research and Clinical Institutions including AIIMS participated in this workshop.
During the deliberations, the strengths of Indian AYUSH System in management of various disease conditions were showcased. The highlight of discussions remained role of AYUSH systems in prevention, cure and management of cancer which was discussed in threadbare details.
Over the course of the two-day workshop, participants shared current traditional medicine therapies and practices for cancer in U.S. and India. They reviewed available evidence for AYUSH products and interventions, which could reduce pain/morbidity from cancer treatments and improve the quality of life. Scientists explored opportunities to collaborate on mutually-identified research in the areas of natural products, palliative care and other support studies.
Nearly 175 participants including experts related to both traditional systems and modern medicine, biologists, and researchers from India and the U.S. took part in the first of its kind Workshop.
Both sides agreed in principle on collaboration in standardization and quality improvement of AYUSH products. It has been agreed in principle to form joint working groups on the two sides to take forward the consultation process and mutual learning on sustainable basis. An MoU between Ministry of AYUSH and US HHS Departments is also expected to be signed in due course of time.
Earlier the Workshop was jointly inaugurated by the Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) and Health & Family Welfare, Mr Shripad Yesso Naik and U S Ambassador to India, Mr Richard Verma and Assistant Secretary of Global Affairs at HHS, Ambassador Jimmy Kolker on March 03, 2016.
Apart from tangible collaboration between Government of India and Government of USA, the Ministry of AYUSH also identified various stakeholders and Scientific Institutions with which it plans to work closely in mainstreaming AYUSH in cancer management. The Ministry of AYUSH will create special platform to take expertise of experts and clinicians for this purpose.
These discussions will be strengthened further at the next U.S.-India Health Dialogue later this year in India.
