Malaysia, India Keen To Promote Greater Cooperation In Traditional Medicine Ayurveda

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and India are keen to promote greater cooperation in traditional medicine Ayurveda and expand the development and usage of Ayurverda, one of the world's oldest holistic healthcare systems, said Prime Minister Najib Razak. Speaking at a joint conference with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi after their bilateral talks here Monday, Najib said Modi was keen to expand traditional medicine in the field of Ayurveda. "We will look into expanding the development and usage of the traditional medicine," Najib said. Modi, who is here for a maiden official visit after assuming his post in 2014, arrived in Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur on Saturday to attend the 27th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. Meanwhile, Modi said he was very pleased with India-Malaysia's excellent and growing cooperation in traditional medicine including Ayurveda and Siddha. Ayurvedic medicine — which means the “science of life” in Sanskrit — treats the physical and mental sources of illness through, for example, prescribing herbs in conjunction with yoga or massage. According to the World Health Organisation, 65 per cent of India’s rural population uses Ayurvedic remedies, mostly due to poor access to modern health facilities. Today, the global market of Ayurvedic medicines or traditional medicines is estimated at about US$100 billion. -- BERNAMA