Chandigarh, Jul 21 (PTI): The BRICS meeting on traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) was held here on Tuesday, bringing together senior government officials, experts and member countries’ delegates to strengthen collaboration and promote evidence-based traditional medicine systems.
The meeting formed part of the broader four-day programme of BRICS Health Track events in Chandigarh, jointly organised by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Ayush.
Held under the overarching BRICS Chairship theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation & Sustainability,” the meeting witnessed participation from the BRICS member states — Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates — providing a platform to exchange best practices, policy experiences and scientific advancements in TCIM.
The formal proceedings on TCIM commenced with a welcome address by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Union Ministry of Ayush, followed by opening remarks from member delegations.
The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the proposed BRICS Expert Working Group on TCIM were finalised with the consensus of all available member states.
The meeting also featured interactive discussions on strengthening collaboration, harmonising policy approaches and identifying future areas of cooperation among BRICS nations, Kotecha said while addressing a press conference here.
Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava and Ministry of Health Economic Advisor Geetu Joshi were also present. The four-day programme also features a range of wellness and cultural activities showcasing India’s holistic healthcare traditions.
Delegates participated in Chair Yoga sessions and will engage in Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) demonstrations organised by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), Yoga Break (Y-Break) sessions during meetings, and the Fit India Run.
The Ayush Zone, along with the Ayush Aahar Mela curated with technical support from the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), showcased India’s traditional healthcare ecosystem through health and wellness consultations, research and innovation exhibits, live Yoga demonstrations and other wellness activities.
The meeting delivered several significant outcomes, including progress towards the establishment of a BRICS Expert Working Group on TCIM; enhanced cooperation in research, education and regulatory frameworks; improved knowledge-sharing among member countries; and stronger recognition of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine within the BRICS Health agenda.
A dedicated side event on “Capacity Building, Education and Human Resource Development” was also organised by the Ministry of Ayush.
The session focused on strengthening global education and training in traditional medicine through academic collaborations, Ayush scholarship initiatives, faculty and student exchanges, research partnerships and evidence-generation mechanisms aimed at building a globally connected TCIM ecosystem.
As part of India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha also inaugurated the Ayush Zone, showcasing India’s holistic healthcare initiatives.
The Ayush Zone offered BRICS delegates an immersive experience of Ayush through Ayush Aahar, health and wellness consultations, India’s herbal heritage, the Ministry’s vision and global initiatives, and a dedicated hub on research, innovation and knowledge.
