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The Indian Ayush market is currently worth USD 24 billion, and this is expected to reach USD 200 billion by 2030, said Vaiyda Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush. Mr Kotecha was delivering the keynote address at the inaugural session of the two-day Global Ayurveda Summit and Kerala Healthcare Tourism at Angamaly, Kochi on Thursday.

The sector has witnessed an exponential growth of eight times in the past 10 years. In 2014, the Ayush industry in the country was valued at USD 2.85 billion. The ministry is actively working to position Ayurveda as a global healthcare solution through the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre at Jamnagar and strategic partnerships with 24 countries. Ayush will be soon part of the Prime Minister's Insurance scheme as well, Mr Kotecha said. 

Inaugurating the event, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan highlighted Kerala’s virtues as a healing destination, pointing to the state’s strong and vibrant modern medicine, ayurveda, and tourism sectors. 

“Our strength lies in seamlessly blending traditional Ayurvedic practice with cutting-edge modern medicine. The state government has invested INR 1,000 cr in the past three years to develop the Ayush infrastructure in the state, including an International Institute of Ayurveda Research and a new Ayurveda medical college in Idukki district,” Mr Vijayan said. 

Ahmed Gasim, Minister of State for Health, Republic of Maldives, said Kerala should focus on standardization of services to bolster its chances as a premium healing destination. 

“Kerala is the main choice for people from Maldives to meet their healthcare needs. However, there should be better coordination between different service providers. Particular care needed to be taken in areas of accountability, data protection, and safety. Standardization of the services will help to further bolster the sector,” he said.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George called for the further strengthening of the synergy between the modern and traditional medical systems of medicine along with tourism in Kerala.

Speakers addressing the various sessions of the event also stressed the importance of a holistic and integrated approach in healthcare management by combining the latest developments in medical sciences and indigenous and traditional knowledge systems. They called for promoting Kerala as God’s Own Healing destination by focusing on the unique strengths of the state. 

The CII-KPMG report on Kerala’s healthcare sector was released during the inaugural session. A special edition of Oushadham magazine in memory of Dr. M.S. Valiathan was also released at the session. The two-day event will feature 82 exhibitions with 1000 delegates. Representatives from 18 countries are also attending the event.

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