Ministry of AYUSH signs MoU with DST for evidence-based scientific intervention

The ministry of AYUSH has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences recently. The MoU will identify the potential areas of research to explore cooperation, convergence and synergy for evidence-based scientific intervention in the AYUSH sector and further application of these into the public healthcare system.

The MoU was signed by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH and Dr Srivari Chandrasekhar, Secretary, DST, in presence of senior officials from the ministry of AYUSH and scientists of DST.

On the occasion, Kotecha thanked DST for its commitment to work with the ministry of AYUSH in development of new medicines and also validation of mechanistic aspects of therapeutics.

Dr Chandrasekhar said, “Traditional knowledge and modern science are joining hands, especially in health sciences. When we bring scientist and medical practitioners of AYUSH together, we are sure that we will come up with solutions, which will be available at affordable prices. I hope, this becomes one of the finest programmes in the country.”

Through the MoU, ministry of AYUSH and DST have agreed to jointly undertake R&D activities on scientific validation of AYUSH concepts, procedures and products, create a platform for the exchange of information and bring about the application of modern science towards understanding the AYUSH-related basic concepts and principles.

The ministry of AYUSH would identify thrust areas involving AYUSH-related systems that require understanding the basic concepts, procedures, development of newer tools, and so on in modern sciences. Meanwhile, DST, through the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), would coordinate the implementation of thrust areas through well-chartered plans and mutual concerted actions.

Partnership with industry, R&D organisations (public/private) and government agencies/departments would be strongly encouraged. Further, the MoU will also focus on special calls for proposals under AYUSH-related R&D activities solicited from the individual or group of national scientists who are actively engaged in research and technology development in academic institutions, research organisations, governments agencies and industries.