Bangalore will host the 'Global Holistic Health Summit' organised by the International Holistic Health Association from January 12 to 17, 2003. The theme of the Summit is 'Holistic and Integrated Medicine for the 21st century'.

The demand for alternative medicine is gaining importance worldwide and the Summit will provide an 'Integration' of all fields of medicine: Allopathy, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani, Siddha, Naturopathy, Tibetan Medicine, Osteopathy and traditional medicine, informed Dr. Isaac Mathai, medical director, International Holistic Centre, Soukya International Holistic Health Centre, and secretary general, International Holistic Health Association.

The main objective of the five-day Summit is to promote holistic and integrated medicine for the 21st century. Holistically oriented organisations, professionals and practitioners will share their insight in the field, said Dr. R M Verma, chairman, International Holistic Health Association and former director, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences. There will be special guest speakers like Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Kazuhiko Atsumi to name a few.

There will be are 500 participants from more than 60 countries: US, UK, Europe, Japan, China, South East Asia, Africa Middle East etc. There will also be representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO). The event will also highlight the role of therapies like acupressure, acupuncture, yoga, aromatherapy, reflexology and hydrotherapy in integrated medicine.

The Summit will work towards having an International Holistic Health Institute for training and research in the country.