India, Sri Lanka MoU for cooperation in traditional systems of medicine and homoeopathy

India plans to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sri Lanka to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the areas of traditional medicine and homoeopathy.

The government of India has received the approval of the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for signing a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in traditional systems of medicine and homoeopathy, Indian Government said in a statement yesterday.

The MoU will be signed between Ministry of AYUSH of the Government India and the Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine of the Government of Sri Lanka.

“The signing of the proposed MoU will enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the areas of traditional medicine and homoeopathy. This will be of immense importance to both countries considering their shared cultural heritage,” the statement said.

There are no additional financial implications involved. The financial resources necessary to conduct research, training courses, conferences/meetings will be met from the existing allocated budget and existing plan schemes of Ministry of AYUSH.

The activities between the two sides will start immediately after the signing of the MoU by the two countries. The initiatives taken between the two countries will be as per the terms of reference of the MoU signed and will be a continuing process till the MoU remains in operation.

India is blessed with well-developed systems of traditional medicine including medicinal plants, which hold tremendous potential in the global health scenario. Sri Lanka also has a long history of traditional medicine. Ayurveda, siddha, unani, yoga and naturopathy and homoeopathy are the important traditional healthcare systems existing in Sri Lanka. Both countries share a common culture with respect to Ayurveda, siddha and unani systems of medicine.

Moreover, there are a large number of medicinal plants, particularly those found in tropical region which are common to the two countries given similar geo-climatic factors.

India and Sri Lanka share several cultural, historical, linguistic and literary similarities. The shared cultural and civilisational heritage of the two countries and the extensive people to people interaction of their citizens provide the foundation to build a multi-faceted partnership and harmonious bilateral relations between the two countries.