The Canadian Bazaar
TORONTO: As India promotes Ayurveda globally, Canada has become one of the first countries to explore the benefits of this ancient medicinal science.
Toronto’s University Health Network, which is Canada’s largest health research hospital, and All India Institute of Ayurveda in New Delhi signed memorandum on April 20 in Gandhinagar in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to jointly explore the benefits of this ancient medical system.
Satish Thakkar, chairman of the Canada India Foundation which raised awareness in Canada about Ayurveda and facilitated the MoU, said, “We are extremely excited to welcome this day as a critical moment in our campaign to get India’s 5,000 years old medicine system a place of honour in Canada and globally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has given his support to the initiative by attending the MoU signing. We are grateful to him for it.”
Dr Paul Oh, medical director of Cardiovascular Prevention and rehabilitation Program at the UNH, said he is optimistic about the potential of this collaboration.
“When it comes to dealing with chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer, I believe it is important to explore the potential that certain traditional systems can play. Our clinical trials may result in discoveries (about Ayurveda) that would help mange chronic diseases in more effective ways,” said Dr Oh who is also Goodlife Fitness Chair in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Rehabilitation.
Indian Consul General Apoorva Srivastava said she expected the collaboration to have far-reaching impact of healthcare in Canada. “Ayurveda can provide solutions to some of the challenges faced by the healthcare deliver in North America.”
All India Institute of Ayurveda director Prof Tanuja Nesari complimented CIF for its initiative. “Ayurveda is finding acceptance in more and more countries. We are delighted that UHN, a world renowned institution in healthcare has come on board to explore the possibilities of combining modern medicine and Ayurveda.”
Order-of-Canada Dr V.I. Lakshmanan, who is a past chairman of CIF, said, “It is a great day for all Indian that a world-famous Canadian research institute will lend its support to research beneficial aspects of Ayurveda.”
The CIF Health Summit in 2021 had launched a CIF-UHN joint fund of $1 million to support research in Ayurveda.
