The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)-Kerala is set to host the 5th edition of the Global Ayurveda Summit and the 10th edition of the Kerala Health Tourism 2023 – International Conference and Exposition at the prestigious Adlux International Convention Centre in Angamaly, scheduled for October 26 and 27.
These concurrent events are strategically designed to establish Kerala as the ultimate hub for medical value tourism. The initiatives have garnered substantial support from the Ministry of Ayush and the Government of Kerala, as shared by Dr. P.M. Varier, the event’s convener and chief physician and managing trustee of Arya Vaidyasala, Kottakkal. He revealed that a study conducted five years ago by the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP) indicated that only approximately 10% of India’s population relied on the Ayurveda system of medicine.
In the post-pandemic landscape, Ayurveda is gaining momentum not only within Kerala but also in numerous countries worldwide. Despite the sector’s increasing patient footfall, its growth trajectory within the state has been slow. The reasons for this sluggishness, even amid the rising popularity of Ayurvedic treatments, are currently under study. Dr. Varier noted that Ayurvedic medicines are now conveniently available in capsule form, enhancing accessibility and ease of use.
Dr. S. Sajikumar, former chairman of CII, highlighted how Ayurveda has become an integral part of leisure tourism. He emphasized that Ayurveda offers holistic solutions, complementing modern medicine, including comprehensive approaches to graceful aging. Ayurveda is now practiced in more than 30 countries, although challenges persist in exporting medicines. In India, the Ayurveda sector has remarkably grown from a $3 billion industry to a substantial $24 billion sector.
According to Jose Dominic, former chairman of CII, Kerala provides top-notch global healthcare services in both Ayurveda and modern medicine at a fraction of the cost in developed countries. He observed a growing interest in Ayurveda among the younger generation and anticipated a significant boost in health tourism in Kerala by 2024.
Dr. Renjith Krishnan, member of CII Kerala’s healthcare panel and CEO of Kinder Group of Hospitals, shared how his hospital has integrated Ayurveda, particularly for the pre- and post-natal care of women. Despite challenges such as the migration of nurses abroad, the international health tourism business in India continues to thrive. Dr. Yadu Narayanan Mooss, co-convenor of the summit and executive director of Vaidyaratnam Oushadhasala, was also present at the event.
The summit will feature a startup pavilion showcasing innovative trends and ideas in healthcare and Ayurveda. Delegates from various countries, including Bangladesh, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, and the Czech Republic, are expected to attend. The accompanying exhibition, open to the public free of charge, promises to be an insightful and enriching experience for all visitors.