Mauritius’ Prime Minister Shri Pravind Jugnauth laid the foundation for the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) with his Indian counterpart, Shri Narendra Modi and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in the Jamnagar city of Indian state of Gujarat. PM Pravind Jugnauth is currently on an 8-day visit to India from 17 to 24 April.
The Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said that the establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Gujarat will usher in an age of traditional medicine globally. Shri Narendra Modi laid out five objectives for the centre: Co-ordinating traditional medicines by using technology; Forming international standard for traditional medicines to increase people’s trust; Becoming a platform where global experts of traditional medicines can come together; Mobilising funding in the field of research; and Formulating holistic treatment protocol for certain diseases.
PM Pravind Jugnauth, in his 12-minute speech, thanked India and his counterpart Shri Narendra Modi for inviting him and associating Mauritius towards the establishment of WHO centre in Gujarat. The prime minister spoke on the usage of traditional and herbal medicines and remedies for curing diseases and stressed on addressing challenges associated with effective monitoring of all herbal medicines. PM Jugnauth also spoke about how the Indian indentured laborers had brought the practice of Indian traditional medicines with them to Mauritius back in 1834.
The Mauritian Prime Minister spoke about the usage of Ayurveda for treatment in Mauritius. He said that there were currently 6 dedicated public clinics that provided ayurvedic services and medicines in Mauritius. The prime minister also spoke of Ayurveda Day, a day of annual celebration in Mauritius. He said that the day provides the opportunity to raise awareness and sensitize the population on ayurvedic medicines and treatments.
PM Jugnauth also greeted the audience with few words in the Gujrati language which was met with grand applause.
After the event, both the PMs flew to Ahmedabad for a roadshow. Pravind Jugnauth will also be addressing the Global AYUSH Investment and Innovation Summit (GAIIS) at Gandhi Nagar on Wednesday, April 20.
