A seminar on initiating herbal health centres in Arunachal Pradesh integrating traditional health practices was organised jointly organised by RIWATCH, United Nations University, Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS), Arunachal Pradesh State Medicinal Plant Board, Help Foundation and Vivekananda Trust under the patronage of District Administration Lower Dibang Valley from 30-31 January recently at RIWATCH Museum.

The objective of the seminar was to trigger loud thinking on why Arunachal Pradesh, despite being a hub of herbal diversity like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Tibet and China has not become a region of alternative health care.

“In Arunachal, many tribes have traditional health practitioners, famous for curing critical diseases and even multiple bone fractures. We need to formally recognise them” said Dr. Joram Begi, Chairman RIWATCH.

DFO Tezu Soplam Manyu who took part at the event said “We need to document not only the herbs but also the herbal practitioners. Recognising them will make Arunachal as one of the famous destination of health care.”

“We need to project role models and trigger Arunachal to explore the possibilities of developing health centres while integrating traditional health care practices. This will not only provide economy to the people but also engage youths in providing alternative medicines and improve the overall health standards in the state,” said Vijay Swami, Executive Director RIWATCH

Unnikrishnan P M from UNU-IAS was the keynote speaker for the seminar. “Almost 70% of the world population uses herbal medicines as health care practice. Germany has the lions share – more than 50% medical practitioners use herbal medicines and this is the first country to legally recognise traditional health practice as health care system” he said in his keynote address.

Two days seminar was attended by more than 100 people including 40 students of higher Secondary classes and total of nine papers presented.