Lok Sabha Question No. 4777 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Ayurveda as Component of Global Healthcare System
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Shri Ravindra Dattaram Waikar, Smt. Shambhavi, Shri Rajesh Verma, Shri Naresh Ganpat Mhaske

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4777 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2025

## Ayurveda as Component of Global Healthcare System

4777. Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde:

Shri Rajesh Verma:

Smt. Shambhavi

Shri Naresh Ganpat Mhaske:

Shri Ravindra Dattaram Waikar:

Will the Minister of Ayush be pleased to stated:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  undertaking  any  specific  initiatives  to  promote Ayurveda as a key component of global healthcare systems and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has any plan to enhance international collaboration in Ayurveda  through  forums  such  as  the  World  Ayurveda  Congress  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the steps being taken by the Government to integrate Ayurveda with modern medical practices to address contemporary health challenges;
- (d) the measures being implemented to increase public awareness and acceptance of Ayurvedic practices both domestically and internationally; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  intend  to  support  research  and  development  in Ayurveda to ensure its efficacy and relevance in modern healthcare and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a)  & (b) Yes Madam/ Sir. The Ministry of Ayush has taken initiative for World Health Organization's (WHO's) Collaborative Centre for Traditional Medicines at Institute  of  Teaching  and  Research  in  Ayurveda  (ITRA),  Jamnagar  and  Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), New Delhi, and National Institute of Indian  Medical  Heritage  (NIIMH),  Hyderabad,  a  unit  under  Central  Council  for Research  in  Ayurvedic  Sciences  (CCRAS),  New  Delhi.  ITRA  is  running  an International Centre of Ayurveda Studies (ICAS) centre to promote Ayurveda as a key component of global healthcare systems.

The WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar would emerge as a Centre of global wellness; bolster evidence-based research, training and awareness for Traditional Medicine. It will serve as a key knowledge hub for evidence-based Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) on a  global  scale.  This  is  the  first  and  only  global  out  posted  Centre  (Office)  for traditional medicine across the world.

With  regard  to  enhance  international  collaboration  in  Ayurveda  through various  forums,  the  Ministry  of  Ayush  has  developed  a  Central  Sector  Scheme (CSS) for the Promotion of International Co-operation (IC) in Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy (AYUSH) under which the Ministry of Ayush  provides  support  to  Indian  Ayush  drug  Manufacturers/  Ayush  Service providers to give boost to the export of AYUSH products & services; facilitates the International promotion, development and recognition of Ayush  system  of medicine; foster interaction of stakeholders and market development of Ayush at international level; promote academics and research through the establishment of Ayush Academic Chairs in foreign countries and holding training workshop/symposiums  for  promoting  and  strengthening  awareness  and  interest about Ayush Systems of Medicine at international level. Under various components  of  CSS  IC  Scheme,  the  Ministry  of  Ayush  supports  AYUSH entrepreneurs, Ayush drug manufacturing industry, Ayush Health Care providers etc. Participation/ organization of International exhibitions/ conferences/ workshops/  seminars/  road  shows/  trade  fairs,  etc.  in  India  and  abroad  by  the Ministry of Ayush through Indian Mission/ Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)/ Federation  of  Indian  Chambers  of  Commerce  &  Industry  (FICCI)/ India  Trade

Promotion Organization (ITPO)/ Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of  India  (ASSOCHAM)/  Pharmaceutical  Export  Promotion  Council  of  India (Pharmexcil), etc.

Ministry of Ayush has supported various international events/ conferences/ seminars/  workshops  etc.  organized  by  various  organization  including  World Ayurveda Congress to enhance international collaboration in Ayurveda.

(c) & (e) The Ministry of Ayush has taken various steps to integrate Ayurveda with modern  medical  practices  to  address  contemporary  health  challenges  through Directorate  General  of  Health  Sevices  (DGHS)  Ayush  Vertical.  The  Ayush Vertical under DGHS, established by the Ministry of Ayush and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), serves as a dedicated institutional mechanism for planning, monitoring, and supervising Ayush-specific public health programs. This vertical provides technical support to both Ministries in developing strategies for public health,  healthcare,  Ayush  education,  and  training.  The  Ministry  of  Ayush and  MoHFW  have  jointly  established  Integrated  Ayush  Departments  in  Central Government Hospitals to promote integrative healthcare. As part of this initiative, the  Department  of  Integrative  Medicine  has  been  set  up  and  is  operational  at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) & Safdarjung Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi.

Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences(CCRAS), as the apex body of research in Ayurveda, has undertaken research projects on the treatment of various diseases  in  collaboration  with  modern  institutions  to  promote  the  integration  of Ayurveda with the modern system of medicine.

CCRAS  has  undertaken  various  research  studies  to  examine  the  benefits  and feasibility of integration of Ayurveda through the following research projects for integration of Ayurveda with modern system of medicine:

1. Operational  study  to  explore  the  feasibility  of  integrating  Ayurveda  with modern system of medicine in a tertiary care hospital (Safdarjung Hospital New Delhi) for the management  of  Osteoarthritis (Knee). The study has been completed.

2. Feasibility  of  introducing  Indian  System  of  Medicine  (Ayurveda)  in  the National  Reproductive  and  Child  Health  services  at  Primary  Health  Care  (PHC) level' in Himachal Pradesh. The study has been completed.

3. Integration of AYUSH systems in the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS). The study has been completed.

4. Feasibility of introducing Ayurveda Intervention in Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) in PHCs of Selected district (Gadchiroli) of Maharashtra (Effectiveness of Ayurvedic intervention for Ante-Natal care (Garbhini Paricharya) at Primary Health Care level: A Multi Centre Operational Study.

5. Further,  under  the  Extramural  Research  Programme,  Indian  Council  of Medical  Research  (ICMR)  and  Central  Council  for  Research  in  Ayurvedic Sciences  (CCRAS)  under  Ministry  of  Ayush  has  taken  an  initiative  to  set  up Ayush-ICMR Advanced Centre for Integrative Health  Research  (AI-ACIHR),  at AIIMS to conduct research on identified areas focusing on integrative healthcare. Under  this  program,  four    research  areas  in  four  AIIMS  have  been  identified, which are as follows:

i. AIIMS Delhi:

a) Advanced  Centre  for Integrative Health Research in Gastro-intestinal Disorders b) Advanced  Centre  for  Integrative  Health  Research  in  Women  and  Child Health

- ii. AIIMS-  Jodhpur:  Advanced  Centre  for  Integrative  Health  Research  in Geriatric Health

iii. AIIMS Nagpur: Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research in Cancer Care iv. AIIMS  Rishikesh:  Advanced  Centre  for  Integrative  Health  Research  in Geriatric Health.

Institute  of  Teaching  and  Research  in  Ayurveda  (ITRA),  an  autonomous  body under  the  Ministry  of  Ayush  encourages  Post  Graduate  (PG)  and  Doctor  of Philosophy  (PhD)  scholars  and  faculty  researchers  to  collaborate  with  modern medical faculty to ensure Ayurveda's efficacy and relevance in modern healthcare. Since 2019, 25 integrative researches have been undertaken.

(d) The Ministry of Ayush, developed the Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of International Cooperation for AYUSH (IC Scheme). The details are provided at Point (a)&(b).

The Ministry also implements the CSS Scheme for Promotion of Information  Education  and  Communication  (IEC)  in  Ayush  to  create  awareness regarding Ayush Systems of Medicine including Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy system of medicine. This aims to reach out to all sections of the population    across  the  country.  This  scheme  provides  assistance  for  organizing National/State  Arogya  Fairs,  Yoga  fests/  Utsavs,  Ayurveda  Parvs,  etc.  The Ministry  also  undertakes  Multi-Media,  Print  Media  Campaigns  for  creating awareness about Ayush Systems.

The  Ministry  of  Ayush,  through  Institute  of  Teaching  and  Research  in Ayurveda (ITRA), an Institute  of  National  Importance,  organizes  various  public participatory programs on regular basis to increase public awareness and acceptance of Ayurvedic practices domestically.

North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy (NEIAH) has taken various steps for health awareness among citizen in rural areas. NEIAH has opened a Peripheral Outpatient Department (OPD) in Ayurveda and Homoeopathy OPD at Smit  areas,  East  Khasi  Hills  district  of  the  State  of  Meghalaya  to  promote Ayurveda and Homoeopathy. The Institute also conducted a Health camps under the  Pradhan  Mantri  Janjati  Adivasi  Nyaya  Maha  Abhiyan  (PM-JANMAN) programmes.  The  Institute  regularly  gives  free  consultation  in the Institute Hospitals both OPD and In-Patient Department (IPD) and conducting free Medical & Awareness Camps at Villages, schools, Govt. Dept., Military personnel and at community  levels.  Organized  National  Seminars/worships,  Panel  discussions, Doctor  se  Mileye in  All  India  Radio,  Shillong  in  English,  Hindi  and  Regional Language (Khasi), TV Talks shows on Ayurveda in Doordarshan Kendra, Shillong etc.

For  increasing  awareness  domestically,  Central  Council  for  Research  in Ayurvedic  Sciences  (CCRAS)  provides  clinical  care  and  engages  in  awareness activities to promote Ayurveda through its Information Education and Communication (IEC) Activities through its networks of 30 peripheral Institutes.

CCRAS has been engaged in popularizing the Ayurveda system among the masses through electronic and print media for common people in English, Hindi, and regional languages, which are widely distributed through National/State level Arogya melas, Health camps, exhibitions, expos, etc.,  and  also  through  CCRAS

outreach programs viz. Schedule Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) Research Program, Tribal Health  Care  Research  Program  (THCRP),  etc.,  in  different  states  of  the  country through its robust 30 peripheral institutes. The Council website is also generally embodied with IEC materials and hyperlinked with other important websites that provide information for wider utility.

The  Council  has  three  journals  named  Journal  of  Drug  Research  in Ayurvedic Sciences (JDRAS), Journal of Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (JRAS), and Journal of Indian Medical Heritage (JIMH) which is also available electronically  in  the  public  domain  free  of  cost  to  enable  dissemination  of  the outcomes of research among the public. The CCRAS is also publishing CCRAS Bulletin quarterly for dissemination of Research outcomes in common languages for the public. So far, the Council has published books, monographs, and technical reports,  and  they  are  being  sold  or  distributed  to  disseminate  research  outcomes and merits of Ayurveda at large.

To  increase  awareness  internationally,  the  CCRAS  under  the  Ministry  of Ayush has signed MoU/LoI/Agreements  with different countries / foreign Universities/  Institutions/  organizations  to  promote  International  cooperation  for the establishment of Academic Chair.

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