For universal acceptance of Indian System of Medicines (ISM), the Union health ministry needs to undertake several promotional initiatives. Ayurveda and Siddha medicines are very well accepted only in a few countries now, whereas the Chinese traditional medicine is being used in several countries in Europe and Australia. With support from the Indian government, Indian System of Medicine could become the best alternative to the modern medicine, according to Professor Gerard Bodeker, head of public health department, University of Oxford Medical School, England.

He was speaking at a seminar on "The Global Scenario of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine- potential and prospects for India", organized jointly by Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems (CIKS) and Centre for Traditional Medical Research (CTMR) at the World University Service Centre, Chennai. Prof.Bodekar explained that every country had the herbal medicine and its acceptance was very high in all countries. In fact, most countries have regulations in place for traditional, complementary and alternative medicines (CAM).

Bodekar, an international expert on traditional medicines said many countries have educational programmes for CAM at varying levels. "A vast majority of people particularly women use these medicines in spite of the fact they need to spend from their pocket as many public health systems do not have an extensive network of CAM. About 80 per cent people in developed countries use them as complementary while 10 per cent use as an alternative. Over 75 per cent of the people use more for wellness than for curative reasons", he explained.

But the professor complained that India with its large repository of traditional medicines had done very little for getting an international recognition for its traditional healing system. Prof. Bodekar advocated the need to have a strong lobby of diplomats who should negotiate with different governments for the promotion and recognition of Ayurveda and Siddha. He said it would be possible only if Ayurveda and Siddha medicines could break the trade barriers by generating adequate documents on the safety of its products as being done by traditional Chinese medicine team.

He said when there are seven WHO collaborating research centres for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Indian System of Medicines (ISM) do not have even a single WHO research unit. Earlier, the Gujarat Ayurvedic University had one research centre, but later it was closed due to inadequate research activity.

While addressing the doctors of Indian medicines, he said the greatest opportunity for ISM lies in the 'Health Spas' or wellness industry as this is now becoming the important leisure industry five times higher than Hollywood. Among the SPA sectors, Medical SPAs are growing in fast pace and India with its authentic medical science, natural ambiance can score well initially to attract people and subsequently for therapeutic medical tourism.

Prof. Bodekar insisted that if health insurance companies cover Siddha and Ayurvedic treatments for well being as being done for yoga and meditation in the west, majority of diseases and claims of chronic illness would come down.