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Sixth World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo 2014

Until now five WACs have been organised at Cochin, Pune, Jaipur, Bengaluru and Bhopal. The highest number of delegates, numbering more than 4200 attended the WAC at Bengaluru. The largest number of visitors who participated in the AROGYA Expo was at Pune where more than 500,000 individuals took advantage of the Forum…The highest number of foreign delegates numbering 264 attended the Bengaluru Congress.,

World Ayurveda Foundation now plans to hold the 6th edition of the Congress at Delhi in Pragati Maidan from 6th to 9th November 2014,when it is expected that the number of delegates and visitors would double the Bengaluru experience. In keeping with the past practice, it is proposed to hold four plenary sessions, 25 parallel sessions as well as providing scope for poster presentations. The associated events which are being planned include a Seminar on Medicinal Plants, a business meet coordinated by Pharmexil, an Editors Conclave, and international Delegates Assembly and a Guru shishya meet.

Focal Theme:

Among the several focal themes considered, ‘Health Challenges and Ayurveda’ has been finalized to be the theme of this edition of the Congress. For the past 30 years, the large, densely populated and enormously varied Republic of India has made impressive efforts in the field of health. However, the unfinished agenda must address deficiencies in service outreach, government expenditures, high out-of-pocket costs, and limited health insurance coverage. There are also healthcare infrastructure gaps and disparities across the Indian states and between urban and rural populatons, measured by such indicators as the number of hospital beds and doctor-patient ratios.

India’s overall health indicators remain below international averages and account for 21% of the world’s global burden of disease. Basic sanitation, nutrition, and living standards need improvement. And although important progress has been made with some diseases, not all communicable diseases have been brought under satisfactory control. In addition, the rapid changes in India’s society and lifestyles have ledto a surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), comprising mainly heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory disease/asthma.

The prevalence of modifiable NCD risk factors such as use of tobacco, alcohol abuse, poor diet, and sedentary lifestyles has risen steadily over the past 30 years.Air pollution – both indoor and outdoor – is also an important risk factor due to its role in cancer, chronic lung disease, and cardiovascular disease. As life expectancy increases, the burden of disease in old age increases. Currently, 5.3% of India’s population is aged 65 or older, with the number projected to increase to 10.2% by 2035. This age group is the most affected by illness, and nearly all NCDs increase in prevalence with age.

India has a uniquely pluralistic healthcare system, with the AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) component making up a significant proportion of medical practitioners. Almost 63% of AYUSH doctors practice Ayurveda. Yet, the AYUSH workforce remains underutilised and the strengths of Ayurveda in particular are unrealised. Meanwhile, the government is taking steps to make better use of the available human resources to fill gaps in the modern system of medicine. Ayurveda does have answers to many of the health challenges facing the country. Non-communicable diseases, mother and child health, lifestyle modification, nutrition, and prevention are all potential areas where Ayurveda can play a pivotal role. It is now time to realise the potential of Ayurveda and develop an action plan that will improve health care in India, and serve as a model for public health globally. The aim of the 6th WAC (World Ayurveda Congress) is to develop such a vision and strategy for public action.

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