Cabinet approves MoUs between India and Iran in health, medicine

On Wednesday, the Cabitnet approved two MoUs on cooperation in the field of health, medicine and traditional systems of medicine, inked between India and Iran.

The MoU was signed on February 17, 2018, in the field of health and medicine, during Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s visit to India.

According to an official statement, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet has given its ex post facto an approval for the MoU.

It marked the areas of cooperation covered by the MoU, which include exchange experience in training of medical doctors and other health professionals, assistance in development of human resources, setting up of health care facilities, and regulation of pharmaceuticals, medical devices   and cosmetics.

The MoU also includes cooperation in the field of medical research, new technologies and knowledge based initiatives, public health, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and cooperation in international health.

Moreover, the MoU will cover any other area of cooperation, which may be mutually decided upon.

In order to elaborate the particulars of cooperation and to manage the implementation of this MoU, a working group will be set up.

The other MoU signed in the field of traditional systems of medicine is also okayed by the Cabinet to enhance bilateral cooperation.

An official statement said, “This will be of immense importance to both countries considering their shared cultural heritage. India is blessed with well-developed systems of traditional medicine including medicinal plants, which hold tremendous potential in the global health scenario.”

Languages, culture and traditions, India and Iraq share several common features. Moreover, both the countries share a common legacy of using herbal medicines for treating several diseases, said the statement.

Both India, as well as Iran have a huge biodiversity. The countries are a home to various rare medicinal plants, which are often used in traditional systems of medicine.

Besides, backed by strong infrastructure and state-of-the-art production units, India has also received the status of a true leader in the field of traditional systems of medicine by Iran, the statement said.

Having the directive to promote, propagate and globalise traditional systems of medicine, which include Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy, the Ministry of AYUSH has inked MoUs with China, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Nepal and Mongolia, among others, for the cooperation in the field traditional medicine.

According to a report, another MoU by the Ministry of AYUSH is proposed to be signed with Sri Lanka.