New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS): Integrating Ayurveda with the mainstream public health system and propagating it globally as a safe and cost-efficient health care alternative would be the aim of the 6th World Ayurveda Congress (WAC) and Arogya Expo to be held here.

The four-day Ayurveda Congress, which starts Thursday, will have the theme of "Ayurveda and Health Challenges".

The congress is being organised by the department of AYUSH, ministry of health and family welfare, in collaboration with the World Ayurveda Foundation (WAF) and the Delhi government.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan Wednesday said Ayurveda will be discussed scientifically. "We want to make Ayurveda, an evidence-based medicine system," he added.

"We will open free consultation facilities at the Expo where AYUSH doctors will examine visitors and distribute free medicines. Live yoga sessions are also planned," Harsh Vardhan told the media .

The minister, who is also the chief patron of the WAC organising committee, said this would be the largest Ayurveda Congress with nearly 4,000 participants.

While Harsh Vardhan will open the event Thursday, the formal inauguration would be done by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Nov 7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the valedictory session on the concluding day.

The Arogya Expo, a popular component of the WAC, will get underway Nov 6.

Harsh Vardhan also urged the state governments to come up with various plans and events to endorse the Ayurveda system of treatment.

Around 200 international delegates from 24 countries, including Sri Lanka, Germany, the US, Italy, Singapore, Australia, Russia and Argentina are expected to attend the congress, he said.

A release said union Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will chair a plenary session on 'Global Development of Ayurveda and Opportunities' Nov 9 while Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram will inaugurate a meet on traditional healers.

The four-day event will witness an assemblage of various Ayurveda stakeholders - industry leaders, health ministers, practitioners, traditional healers, educationists, students, drug manufacturers, growers of medicinal plants and marketing strategists - from across the world.

Seven Ayurveda universities and 270 Ayurveda colleges in India and their vice-chancellors and principals will also participate in the brainstorming meet.