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DELHI, INDIA, September 21, 2004: Speaking at the inauguration in September of AROGYA 2004, a comprehensive health fair to promote the Indian systems of medicine, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, said that the budget for Indian systems of medicine would be increased in order to propagate the traditional system of medicine prevalent in India for several ages, as interest is growing in these traditional therapies. The budget for 2004-05 is nearly US$40 million. The Department will place greater stress on giving incentives for the cultivation of medicinal plants. He urged practitioners of the Indian system of medicines to investigate why non-communicable disease like diabetes and cardio- vascular diseases are on the increase, and to find preventative remedies. He also exhorted experts in traditional medicine to disseminate their knowledge for the benefit of mankind, as the overwhelming majority would wish to do. Citing China’s very strong world market in traditional medicine, the Minister stressed the need to increase exports, which currently stood at two percent. As these raw materials are sent abroad, processed, and sold back to India, Dr. Ramadoss said that his department and Ministry of Commerce have joined hands to promote such exports and develop expertise to process the traditional herbs in India. The Secretary, Mr. P. Mohandas, said that his Department had implemented schemes to ensure quality control and standardization of books and teaching on the subject. They were also working on improving the availability of raw drugs, research and awareness. AROGYA 2004 is the fourth in a series of comprehensive health fairs organized annually by the Department, and is the biggest ever with stall space completely sold out. More than 450,000 visitors were expected during the six days of the health fair.

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