The Ministry of Ayush has been actively working towards integrating traditional Indian medicine systems, such as Ayurveda, with modern allopathic practices. This initiative aims to enhance public healthcare by combining the strengths of both systems. A significant step in this direction is the establishment of the Ayush Vertical under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), which serves as a dedicated institutional mechanism to support Ayush-specific public health programs. Additionally, integrated Ayush departments have been set up in Central Government hospitals, including Safdarjung Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College in New Delhi, to facilitate holistic patient care.
A notable development is the formation of an advisory committee under NITI Aayog to study and propose a comprehensive Integrative Health Policy. In line with this, the Indian government has implemented a strategy to co-locate Ayush facilities in primary health centers, community health centers, and district hospitals. This approach allows patients to choose between different medical systems under one roof. While the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) supports the training and engagement of Ayush professionals under the National Health Mission, the Ministry of Ayush provides infrastructure and medicine under the National AYUSH Mission.
Research has also played a crucial role in this integration. The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has undertaken studies on the feasibility of integrating Ayurveda in various healthcare services. Some key projects include the integration of Ayurveda in reproductive and child health services at the primary healthcare level in Himachal Pradesh, and the role of Ayurveda in managing osteoarthritis and non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.
Further strengthening research efforts, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and CCRAS have launched the Ayush-ICMR Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research (AI-ACIHR) at AIIMS. This initiative focuses on integrative healthcare in key areas such as gastrointestinal disorders, cancer care, and geriatric health at multiple AIIMS locations, including Delhi, Jodhpur, Nagpur, and Rishikesh.
The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi has also been instrumental in promoting integrative medicine. Specialized centers have been set up for cancer therapy, dentistry, critical care, orthopedics, dietetics, and emergency medicine. Similar integrated service units have been established at Safdarjung Hospital, AIIMS Jhajjar, and the National Cancer Institute.
Additionally, the Ministry of Ayush is implementing the Ayurswasthya Yojana, which supports innovative projects in Ayush systems. Under its Centre of Excellence component, nine reputed institutions across India, including Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai and IIT Delhi, have received funding to conduct research integrating Ayurveda with modern medical science.
This multi-faceted approach underscores the government’s commitment to making healthcare more inclusive by blending the wisdom of traditional practices with the advancements of modern medicine. Through these efforts, the integration of Ayush with allopathy is expected to offer more comprehensive healthcare solutions to the people of India.
