Ayurvedamagazine

Tag: India

  • Ayurveda at the Crossroads: Tradition Meets Evidence in Global Health

    Ayurveda—once a niche cornerstone of India’s health heritage—is on the cusp of becoming a mainstream global player. With a booming Ayush economy now worth $43.4 billion, spontaneous market growth has created a robust foundation for the ancient system’s expansion.

    India’s 11th Ayurveda Day (Sept 23, 2026) under the banner ‘Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow’ marks a pivotal moment. The theme echoes the nation’s ambition to fuse its centuries old wisdom with contemporary research, quality standards, and international health frameworks. The challenge is not only global outreach but also constructing the evidence and credibility needed for responsible worldwide adoption.

    Over the past decade, the Ayush sector’s market surged from $2.85 billion to $43.4 billion, while exports doubled—from $1.09 billion to $2.16 billion. Government initiatives bolstered MSMEs and startups, cementing a broader ecosystem that nurtures innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment.

    Survey data underscore domestic acceptance: a 2022–23 All India Ayush survey, covering 181,298 households, found 94.8 % rural and 96 % urban awareness. Nearly half of rural and over 50 % of urban respondents used Ayush in the past year, with Ayurveda topping the list. This substantial base signals strong potential for preventive health and wellness contributions.

    Medical value travel offers a lucrative avenue. India launched a dedicated Ayush Visa in July 2023, and partnered with the India Tourism Development Corporation to highlight Ayurveda centric circuits. A global market estimated at $115.6 billion in 2022 is projected to reach $286.1 billion by 2030, positioning Ayurveda at the heart of India’s health tourism strategy.

    Strategic roads for global expansion have been road mapped. NITI Aayog’s July 2026 ‘Strategic Roadmap for Making Ayurveda Global’ outlines a 2047 horizon, focusing on regulation, standards, research, education, exports, branding, and medical value travel. Its emphasis on quality, credible research, and sustainable practices is designed to secure international trust.

    India’s engagement with the WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Strategy (2025–2034) further solidifies its stance. The WHO’s 2024 ICD 11 inclusion of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani morbidities offers a globally comparable framework, but not an endorsement of efficacy. Collaborative efforts are underway to develop intervention codes, cementing these systems within mainstream health documentation.

    Central to Ayurveda’s future is evidence generation. The Ministry of Ayush’s portal lists over 43,000 research entries, a growing compendium that will underpin robust standards and global confidence while preserving the system’s distinct principles.

    As the 11th Ayurveda Day heralds a new chapter, the path forward hinges on proven science, innovation, professional capacity, and responsible globalization—ensuring Ayurveda’s evolution from a traditional heritage to a cornerstone of the evolving global health landscape.

    Reference: Press Information Bureau

  • BRICS Gives Traditional Medicine a New Research Push

    The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) grouping has
    moved to deepen cooperation in traditional, complementary and integrative
    medicine (TCIM), with the New Delhi Declaration backing the proposed creation
    of a BRICS Expert Working Group on TCIM under the health track, on September
    12, in New Delhi.

    The move signals a shift from broad
    recognition of traditional medicine towards more structured collaboration
    focused on research, regulation, quality and scientific evidence.

    The proposed expert group is expected to
    provide a common platform for BRICS countries to exchange knowledge, coordinate
    research and share regulatory and quality-assurance practices. The Declaration
    also calls for greater cooperation on medicinal plants and herbal preparations
    used for therapeutic and preventive purposes.

    For countries with long-established
    traditional medical systems, the initiative could help turn shared knowledge
    and pharmacopoeial traditions into scientifically validated, quality-assured
    therapeutic products.

    Union Minister of State (Independent
    Charge), Ministry of Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, said the proposed group would
    enable member countries to “share knowledge, strengthen research and advance
    evidence-based approaches”. He said India would continue to promote Ayurveda
    and other traditional systems through scientific research, quality assurance
    and international collaboration.

    The emphasis on evidence is central to the
    initiative. The Declaration underlines the need to ensure the quality, safety
    and efficacy of TCIM practices and products through evidence-informed
    approaches and regulatory frameworks suited to national contexts.

    The development builds on the BRICS Meeting
    on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine held in Chandigarh on
    July 21 during India’s BRICS chairship. The meeting brought together government
    officials, experts and delegates from member states and produced consensus on
    the Terms of Reference for the proposed expert group.

    The initiative also comes as global health
    policymakers increasingly examine how traditional medicine can contribute to
    healthcare systems without compromising scientific standards. The WHO Global
    Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 similarly stresses stronger evidence,
    safety, quality and appropriate integration into health systems.

    For India, the BRICS initiative offers an
    international platform to advance Ayurveda and the wider Ayush ecosystem while
    aligning traditional knowledge with modern research and regulatory standards.

    The larger message from New Delhi is clear:
    traditional medicine is gaining a place in global health discussions—but its
    future credibility will increasingly depend on evidence, safety, efficacy and
    quality.

  • More Donors, More Lives: India’s Organ Donation Gap Calls for Urgent Public Action

    India’s growing transplant needs have brought the country’s persistent shortage of donated organs into sharp focus, with healthcare experts calling for greater public awareness and participation in organ donation.

    Speaking at an event held on the eve of World Organ Donation Day, which falls on August 13, in New Delhi, experts from Fortis Escorts, Okhla, and the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) stressed that increasing the availability of organs from deceased donors remains a challenge in India’s transplant ecosystem.

    NOTTO Director Dr Anil Kumar said a single deceased donor could save up to eight lives through organ donation, while tissue donation could improve the quality of life of many more. He underlined the need to dispel misconceptions surrounding brain death and encourage more people to pledge their organs.

    The scale of the shortage is stark. India’s organ donation rate remains below one donor per million population, while nearly 90,000 patients were on the national transplant waiting list as of March 2026. Between 2020 and 2024, as many as 2,805 patients died while waiting for an organ transplant, according to the information shared at the event.

    Despite an increase in the number of transplants, deceased-donor organs account for only about 18 per cent of transplants in the country. Experts said this highlights the urgent need to expand the pool of deceased donors and ensure that potentially life-saving organs do not go unused.

    Dr Z S Meharwal, Chairman and Head of Adult Cardiac Surgery at Fortis Escorts Okhla, said greater awareness and participation could help reduce the number of patients who remain on waiting lists simply because a suitable organ is unavailable.

    India is progressing in transplant medicine and logistics such as the use of green corridors to transport organs rapidly between hospitals. However, experts noted that sophisticated medical infrastructure could only go so far if the supply of donated organs remains inadequate.

    The challenge, therefore, is not merely technological but also social. Addressing myths about organ donation, improving awareness about brain death and encouraging families to discuss donation could play a crucial role in closing the gap between patients waiting for transplants and organs available for transplantation.

    For thousands of patients battling serious organ failure, the difference between waiting and receiving a transplant can be the difference between life and death. Experts said greater participation in organ donation is essential if India is to turn advances in transplant medicine into more lives saved.

    Reference: PTI; ET Healthworld

  • Ayush Ministry, IndiaAI Partner to Boost AI Use in Traditional Medicine

    The Ministry of Ayush has signed a
    Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry
    of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on July 31 to facilitate the
    adoption of artificial intelligence across the Ayush sector.

    The partnership aims to strengthen
    AI-driven research, digital health, medicinal plant management, drug
    administration and capacity building by combining traditional knowledge systems
    with advanced AI technologies.

    As part of the agreement, the Ministry of
    Ayush will onboard AIKosh, IndiaAI’s repository for AI datasets and
    models, enabling the sharing of eligible health research artefacts, including
    datasets, metadata, AI models, toolkits and use cases. The move is expected to
    promote collaboration and support the responsible development of AI
    applications in traditional medicine.

    The collaboration will also provide the
    Ayush ecosystem access to GPU-based high-performance computing infrastructure
    under the IndiaAI initiative at subsidised rates, helping researchers scale
    AI-based healthcare innovations.

    The MoU was signed by Dr. Kavita Jain,
    Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, and Sudeep Srivastava, Chief Operating
    Officer of the IndiaAI Mission and Joint Secretary, MeitY, in the presence of
    senior officials from both ministries.

    Officials said the initiative marks a
    significant step towards creating a technology-enabled, evidence-based and
    future-ready Ayush ecosystem by integrating India’s traditional healthcare
    systems with modern AI capabilities.

     

  • Over One-Fifth of Indian Teenagers Face Moderate to High Risk of Substance Use: Study

    A new study has raised concerns over the growing vulnerability of adolescents in India to substance use, revealing that more than one in five teenagers may be at moderate to high risk of developing substance-related problems. The findings underscore the need for early intervention, stronger awareness programmes, and improved mental health support for young people across the country.

    Over 6000 teenagers from 108 government and private schools across India were part of the study.  Researchers found that approximately 22 percent of participants exhibited behavioural patterns associated with moderate or high risk of substance use. The study, published in The Lancet Regional Health-Southeast Asia, assessed the use of tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, and other psychoactive substances through standardised screening methods.

    Researchers noted that peer influence, academic stress, family conflicts, and easy access to addictive substances were among the major factors contributing to the increased risk. They also observed that substance use often coexisted with anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns, making early detection crucial.

    Health experts involved in the study stressed that adolescence is a critical period for physical, emotional, and psychological development. They warned that substance use during these formative years could have lasting effects on brain development, academic performance, and overall well-being.

    The study recommends integrating routine substance-use screening into school health programmes and strengthening counselling services in educational institutions. Researchers also called for greater parental awareness and community-based initiatives to help identify at-risk adolescents before substance use becomes a serious dependency.

    Public health specialists believe that preventive education, life-skills training, and accessible mental health services can significantly reduce the likelihood of substance misuse among teenagers. They emphasized that collaborative efforts involving schools, families, healthcare providers, and policymakers are essential to address the issue effectively.

    The findings add to growing evidence that substance use among adolescents is emerging as an important public health challenge in India, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive prevention strategies aimed at safeguarding the country’s youth.

  • Ayush Ministry proposes traditional medicine services across military hospitals

    Ministry of Ayush has proposed expanding traditional medicine services across the Military and Field Hospitals of India, with a focus on preventive, promotive and holistic healthcare for defence personnel.

    Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav has written to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, suggesting the establishment of Ayush outpatient departments (OPDs) and treatment facilities in military healthcare institutions.

    In his letter, Jadhav acknowledged the role of the Armed Forces Medical Services in delivering healthcare to soldiers serving in diverse and often demanding operational conditions. He said that while the Armed Forces already have a strong modern medical infrastructure, integrating Ayush systems could strengthen preventive care, lifestyle management, rehabilitation and overall well-being.

    According to the proposal, Ayush facilities are currently available only in a limited number of institutions under the Ministry of Defence. Many Military and Field Hospitals do not have dedicated traditional medicine services. The minister argued that expanding these facilities would improve access to evidence-based Ayush treatments for defence personnel.

    Jadhav said the inclusion of Ayush services would complement the existing healthcare framework rather than replace conventional medical care. He added that the initiative could contribute to a more comprehensive and patient-centric healthcare model while promoting the integration of India’s traditional systems of medicine into public healthcare.

    The Ayush Ministry has requested the Defence Ministry to consider setting up Ayush OPDs and treatment facilities in all Military and Field Hospitals. It has also offered technical support, professional guidance and institutional cooperation, including the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to facilitate implementation.

    If approved, the proposal would mark a broader collaboration between the Ministries of Ayush and Defence for extending traditional healthcare services to members of the Armed Forces.

  • Cultural Sensitivity, Effective Communication Vital to Enhance India’s Medical Tourism: Study

    Cultural sensitivity, effective communication, and proper expectation management are critical to strengthening India’s position as a global medical tourism destination, according to a recent study conducted by researchers from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow.

    The study, published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management, found that international patients’ experiences in Indian hospitals were shaped not only by the quality of medical treatment but also by how well healthcare professionals understand and respond to cultural differences.

    The research was carried out by Payal Mehra, Professor of Communication at IIM Lucknow, and Dr Himanshu Tyagi, Director of the Orthopaedic Department at Fortis Hospital, New Delhi. It examined the experiences of 1,600 international patients receiving treatment at a Government of India-designated medical tourism hospital accredited by both the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI). The researchers analysed patient responses using multiple statistical methods to assess the relationship between cultural sensitivity, communication, and patient satisfaction.

    According to the findings, patients develop perceptions of a hospital’s cultural sensitivity before and during their treatment through various sources of information. These perceptions significantly influence how they evaluate communication with healthcare providers and the overall quality of care they receive.

    “India is an important hub of medical tourism. However, the market is still largely concentrated among patients from neighbouring countries with relatively lower cultural differences. Strengthening cross-cultural communication skills can help attract and retain patients from a wider range of countries,” Mehra said.

    The researchers recommended that hospitals introduce structured intercultural communication training programmes for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. They also suggested improving medical tourism websites with culturally relevant information about India’s healthcare system and tourism opportunities, while leveraging technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality to familiarise prospective patients with healthcare services before their arrival.

    Dr. Tyagi noted that international patients seek more than affordable treatment when travelling abroad. “Medical tourists look for trust, understanding, and reassurance. Hospitals that successfully bridge cultural and communication gaps can deliver better patient experiences while enhancing India’s competitiveness in the global medical tourism market,” he said.

    India is one of the world’s leading medical tourism hubs owing to its advanced healthcare infrastructure, internationally accredited hospitals, experienced specialists, shorter waiting periods, and comparatively affordable treatment costs. The study states that strengthening cultural competence among healthcare providers could further enhance the country’s appeal to patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.

    Reference:

    ET Healthworld.com

    PTI

    Medical Tourism, IIM Lucknow, Cultural Sensitivity, Patient Communication, Healthcare, India

  • India Alert: Zero Ebola Cases Reported; Health Ministry Ramps Up Border Screening

    Amid rising global concerns about Ebola, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said on May 25 that no case of Bundibugyo Ebola disease has been reported in the nation so far. Even then, the government is taking no chances. Following a high-level review meeting with senior officials from the Union Health Ministry, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Nadda directed all preventive and surveillance mechanisms to remain on high alert.

    Precautionary Steps

    The Indian government has intensified its precautionary protocols following declarations from international health bodies. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently designated the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), while the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention categorized it as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).

    In response, India is deploying a multi-layered defence strategy:

    • Airport & Border Screening: Enhanced screening and surveillance measures are now live across international airports, seaports, and land border crossings to catch any potential entry immediately.

    • Mandatory In-Flight Protocols: The aviation watchdog, DGCA, has instructed airlines to issue in-flight announcements and mandate self-declaration forms for passengers coming from or transiting through affected countries.

    • State-Level Readiness: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) regarding strict screening, quarantine protocols, clinical management, and specialised laboratory testing have been actively distributed to all States and Union Territories.

    • Amid rising global concerns about Ebola, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said on May 25 that no case of Bundibugyo Ebola disease has been reported in the nation so far. Even then, the government is taking no chances. Following a high-level review meeting with senior officials from the Union Health Ministry, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Nadda directed all preventive and surveillance mechanisms to remain on high alert. The Union Health Secretary chaired a joint review meeting across multiple ministries to ensure a seamless, rapid response in the event of a suspected case.

    While there is absolutely no reason for panic within the country, health authorities are maintaining a strict “constant state of readiness” to ensure early detection and swift containment.

  • Around half the Indian population Vitamin-D deficient: Study

    Nearly half the population of India is vitamin
    D deficient, according to a study. The study done by a diagnostic firm is based
    on 2.2 million tests results collected over six years from 2019 nationwide.

    The
    study found that 46.5 per cent of persons tested across India were vitamin D
    deficient, while another 26 per cent had insufficient levels.

    The findings underscore widespread vitamin D
    deficiency and the need to create awareness to prevent this. Better nutrition,
    and regular screening are the need of the hour as it is an overlooked health
    challenge. It impacts absorption of nutrients, immunity, bone health and
    overall well-being.

    According to the study, it could be because
    of today’s way of life, limited exposure to sun, poor dietary habits leave
    alone geography.

    However, the data shows national deficiency
    rates falling from about 51 per cent in 2019-20 to 43 per cent in 2023-24.

    Vitamin D deficiency is found to be high in
    adolescents and working-age adults, largely owing to indoor lifestyle.
    Teenagers aged between 13 and 18 years showed the highest deficiency rate at
    66.9 per cent. The gender gap has narrowed over time, with deficiency levels at
    46.9 per cent among women and 45.8 per cent among men.

  • India reinforces commitment to WHO global traditional medicine strategy at 78th World Health Assembly

    At the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) held in Geneva under the theme “One World for Health,” India reiterated its strong commitment to strengthening Traditional Medicine (TM) systems as part of an integrated approach to healthcare. Speaking on behalf of India, Arindam Bagchi, Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, welcomed adopting the new WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034.

    India’s approach, characterised by the integration of modern medicine with scientifically validated traditional systems such as Ayurveda, was emphasised as a practical model for other nations. Mr Bagchi noted that India had shown strong leadership in implementing the previous WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy (2014–2023).

    India’s significant contribution to the global TM ecosystem is reflected in the establishment of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Launched in 2022 with the support of the Government of India, the Centre is the first of its kind and plays a vital role in data analytics, policy support, standard-setting, and research collaboration.

    A key development this year was the signing of a Donor Agreement between the Ministry of Ayush and WHO on May 24, 2025, to initiate work on a dedicated Traditional Medicine module under the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI). This would enable Ayush Systems to reach a global audience through a scientific and standardised framework.

    “India is proud to contribute to the global integration of Traditional Medicine. The ICHI module will enhance scientific credibility and facilitate global recognition of Ayush systems. We remain committed to supporting WHO’s efforts of inclusive, safe, and evidence-based traditional healthcare,” said Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush. 

    As per the WHO, the new strategy encourages Member States to enhance regulation, integrate TM services where appropriate, and uphold indigenous knowledge, environmental sustainability, and biodiversity. India’s initiatives resonate strongly with these principles, underscoring its role as a committed partner in advancing traditional medicine for global well-being.