The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi recently went to Japan to attend the 13th India-Japan annual summit. During his ongoing visit, the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) was signed to provide holistic healthcare and wellness in both countries. The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between India's Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) and the Kanagawa Prefectural Government.
Ayurveda and Yoga
India is known as the land of Ayurveda and Yoga. Ayurveda is the traditional form of medicine in the world and Yoga is a sadhana system or spiritual path which extends an individual into the realm of health and disease treatment. Both are considered to be the natural healing system of India and is prevalent from Vedic times.
India and Japan decided to cooperate for the first time in the areas of Indian traditional medicinal systems such as Yoga and Ayurveda.
Promoting Cooperation in Healthcare
The MoC was signed, aims to increase the cooperation in the areas of National Health Protection Mision. It will also compliment another MoU which was signed between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India and the Office of Healthcare policy of the Cabinet Office of Japan & Japan's Ministry of Health.
The potential areas for collaboration between India and Japan are primary health care, prevention of non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health services, sanitation, hygiene, nutrition and elderly care. The collaboration will help in strengthening these areas.
Technology In Healthcare
Japan is fairly advanced in technological aspect. There have also been discussions about the potential to integrate Japan's Artificial intelligence technologies and innovation with India's healthcare initiatives.
