High-Level Discussion Held on Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine Sector

Kathmandu. A high-level discussion was held on the improvement, service expansion, and policy management of the Ayurveda and alternative medicine sector. A high-level discussion was held on Wednesday in the presence of Health and Food Hygiene Minister Nisha Mehta.

In the discussion, special emphasis was given to making Ayurveda services more effective, integrating them with the health system, and developing Nepal as a destination for Ayurvedic tourism.

In the discussion, Minister Mehta stated that Ayurveda and alternative medicine are priorities for the government, and since Nepal is the birthplace of Ayurveda, it should be conserved, promoted, and developed by linking it with health tourism. She said that the government is committed to providing necessary policy and institutional support for the development of this sector.

In the discussion, it was also emphasized to develop Gandaki Ayurveda Hospital in Pokhara, Ayurveda Research and Training Center in Kirtipur, and National Ayurveda Panchakarma and Yoga Center in Budhanilkantha as major centers for Ayurvedic health tourism.

The ministry has stated that it will move forward with the strategy of establishing Nepal as an attractive destination for Ayurvedic health tourism by enhancing the infrastructure, services, expert manpower, and international-level wellness service capacity of these institutions.

In addition, participants suggested including Ayurveda services in the health insurance program, completing the organization and management survey, strengthening the institutional structure related to Ayurveda in the ministry, developing the value chain from herb production to processing and medicine production, and strengthening the production system according to World Health Organization standards.

Officials from the ministry, representatives from the Department of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine, Singhdarbar Vaidyakhana, Naradevi Ayurveda Hospital, Ayurveda Research and Training Center, Nepal Ayurveda Doctors Association, and National Ayurveda Panchakarma and Yoga Center participated in the discussion.

The ministry has stated that suggestions received from the discussion will be gradually moved forward through implementable plans and policy decisions.