Lok Sabha Question No. 393 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-03
Subject: Special AYUSH Visa
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Ramesh Bidhuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-393 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03/02/2023

## SPECIAL AYUSH VISA

## 393. SHRI RAMESH BIDHURI:

Will the MINISTER OF AYUSH be pleased to state:

(a)    whether  the  Government has proposed to introduce a special AYUSH visa for foreign nationals to facilitate them in taking the advantage of traditional medicines in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to promote AYUSH treatment world-wide; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF AYUSH (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a) & (b): During the inaugural ceremony of the 'Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit' held on 20.04.2022 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat, the Hon'ble Prime Minister made the announcement to launch a special category of Ayush visa for foreign visitors for Ayush medical travel/education/treatment including Yoga. The same has been taken up with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs.

(c)  &  (d):  The  Ministry  has  developed  a  Central  Sector  Scheme  for  the  Promotion  of International  Co-operation  in  AYUSH  (IC  Scheme)  under  which  the  Ministry  of  Ayush provides support to Indian Ayush drug Manufacturers/ Ayush Service providers to give boost to  the  export  of  AYUSH  products  &  services;  facilitates  the  International  promotion, development and recognition of AYUSH system of medicine; foster interaction of stakeholders and market development of AYUSH at international level; promote academics and research through  the  establishment  of  AYUSH  Academic  Chairs  in  foreign  countries  and  holding training workshop/symposiums for promoting and strengthening awareness and interest about AYUSH Systems of Medicine at international level.

The Ministry of Ayush has taken the following steps towards the international recognition for AYUSH systems of medicine:

- Signed 24 Country to Country MoUs for Cooperation in field of Traditional Medicine and Homoeopathy with foreign nations.
- Signed  40  MoUs  with  international  institutes  for  undertaking  Collaborative  Research  / Academic collaboration.
- Signed 15 MoUs with international institutes for setting up of AYUSH Academic Chairs in foreign nations.
- supported for the establishment of 38 Ayush Information Cells in 34 foreign nations.
- Offers  scholarships  to  foreign  nationals  for  undertaking  AYUSH  courses  in  recognized AYUSH institutions in India under International Ayush Fellowship/Scholarship Programme.
- In cooperation with QCI, got developed Quality Certification programme viz. Ayush mark and Premium mark to increase reliability of standards of ASU&H Products.
- Given WHO-GMP (COPP) to 31 Ayurvedic Drug manufacturers to facilitate the export of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani & Homoeopathy Drugs.
- Signed an agreement with WHO to establish WHO-GCTM in Jamnagar, Gujarat, the groundbreaking Ceremony of which was attended by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Director General of WHO and other esteemed dignitaries on 19.04.2022 in Jamnagar, Gujarat. This Centre aims to provide support to implement WHO's traditional medicine strategy (2014-23) and to support nations in developing policies & action plans to strengthen the role of traditional medicine as part of their journey to universal health coverage.

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