The 3rd International Conference on Integrative Medicine - role of Yoga and Ayurveda, held at Harvard Medical school was a grand success. With over 50 internationally acclaimed speakers and over 300 participants from Health care fields from 17 countries, the conference addressed the value of Integrative Medicine to provide an alternate approach to treating cancer and providing palliative care. 

Conveners Bal Ram Singh, Kanchan Banerjee, Pramit Maakoday, Haimanti Banerjee, Darshan Mehta, Anusha Parivallal and others worked hard to put an event together to bring awareness to approaches rooted in Ayurveda and Yoga to address complex challenges.  

The issue of cancer and the cost of addressing the challenge using traditional approach are huge. Yet the success rate has many challenges. In 2012, an estimated 14.1 million new cases of cancer occurred worldwide with four most common ones are lung, female breast, bowel and prostate cancer. Worldwide there will be 23.6 million new cases of cancer each year by 2030 (estimated).

In 2016, an estimated 1.7 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the US and over half a million of them died. While there are certain treatments and intervention, which are very effective in cancer treatment, the cost and side effects are also far-reaching. National expenditures for cancer care in the US was nearly $125 billion in 2010 and could reach $156 billion in 2020.

In India, it is estimated that 14. 5 million people are living with the disease, with over .7 million new cases being registered every year and 5.5 million deaths.  Yoga and Ayurveda has been proven to significantly aid in the treatment and palliative care for millions by reducing cost and suffering.  

Prime minister Modi sent a special message for the conference. “I convey my best wishes for the successful organization of the conference and let the conference be impactful in realizing a better healing touch for the whole world in addressing its emerging health challenges” said PM Modi. 

Governor Charlie Baker declared the day as Integrative Medicine Day in Massachusetts. “A holistic approach to human health with an equal emphasis on prevention and cure is overdue” stated Baker in the proclamation. 

A fabulous music concert by Sarod Maestro Amjad Ali Khan and his two sons Aman and Ayyan Ali Khan brought the event to a close. 

We look forward to seeing the impact on the conference on using effective alternate therapies to improve the health of people the world over