Parliament Question: Integration of AYUSH Systems with Modern Medicine

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4785 ANSWERED ON 20.03.2026 Integration of AYUSH Systems with Modern Medicine 4785. Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam: Will the Minister of AYUSH (a) whether the Government has taken steps for the integration of AYUSH systems with modern medicine, if so, the details thereof; (b) the details of the steps taken by the Government to promote the AYUSH systems of medicine across the country; (c) whether the Government has taken steps to promote international collaboration and the positioning of India as a global hub for traditional medicine; and (d) if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) Government of India has adopted a strategy of Co-location of Ayush facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs), thus enabling the choice to the patients for different systems of medicines under a single window. The engagement of Ayush doctors/ paramedics and their training is being supported by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare under National Health Mission (NHM), while the support for Ayush infrastructure, equipment/ furniture and medicines is being provided by the Ministry of Ayush under National Ayush Mission (NAM), as shared responsibilities. Further, Ministry of Ayush is adopting a rational approach along with multiple initiatives, for the promotion and institutional expansion of each Ayush system of medicine according to its respective strengths, with a view to facilitating their integration with modern medicine. Some of the major initiatives are as follows: 1i. The Ayush Vertical under Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), established by the Ministry of Ayush and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), 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. ii Ministry of Ayush and MoH&FW 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 & Safdarjung Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi. iii. Details of initiatives taken by the Research Councils and National Institutes under the Ministry of Ayush for integration of Ayush with contemporary medical system are given as Annexure. (b) Ministry of Ayush is implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of NAM through State/UT Governments for overall development and promotion of Ayush systems across the country through States/UTs. Under NAM, Ministry of Ayush supports the efforts of State/UT Governments by providing financial assistance to them under different activities as per the provision of NAM guidelines against their submitted State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs). The Mission inter-alia makes provision for the following activities: - (i) Operationalization of Ayush Health and Wellness Centres now renamed as Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush) by upgrading existing Ayush dispensaries and Sub health Centres. (ii) Co-location of Ayush facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs). (iii) Upgradation of existing standalone Government Ayush Hospitals. (iv) Upgradation of existing Government/Panchayat/Government aided Ayush Dispensaries/ Construction of building for existing Ayush Dispensary (Rented/ dilapidated accommodation)/ Construction of building to establish new Ayush Dispensary in the area where there are no Ayush facilities available. (v) Setting up of 10/30/50 bedded Integrated Ayush Hospitals. (vi) Supply of essential drugs to Government Ayush Hospitals, Government Dispensaries and Government/Government aided Teaching Institutional Ayush Hospitals. (vii) Ayush Public Health Programmes. (viii) Establishment of new Ayush colleges in the States where availability of Ayush teaching 2institutions is inadequate in Government Sector. (ix) Infrastructural development of Ayush Under-Graduate Institutions and Ayush Post- Graduate Institutions/ add on PG/ Pharmacy /Para-Medical Courses Further, under NAM, State/UT Governments are being supported for implementation of Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities for creating awareness in the community about strength of Ayush system. These initiatives use mass media platforms to promote Ayush based preventive healthcare practices and encourage communities to adopt healthier lifestyles. (c) & (d) Yes, Ministry of Ayush is implementing the central sector scheme for Promotion of International Cooperation for Ayush (IC Scheme). Under this scheme the Ministry provides support to Indian Ayush drug Manufacturers/ Ayush Service providers to give boost to the export of Ayush products and services; facilitates the International promotion, development and recognition of Ayush systems 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 the CSS IC Scheme 27 Country to Country MoUs, 16 Ayush Chair MoUs and 54 Institute to Institute level MoUs have been signed. ***** 3Annexure Details of initiatives taken by the Ministry of Ayush through its Research councils and National Institutes Sl. Research councils / Details of initiatives Institute No National Institutes 1. Central Council for CCRAS has undertaken research studies such as Operational study to Research in Ayurvedic explore the feasibility of integrating Ayurveda with modern system Sciences (CCRAS) of medicine in a tertiary care hospital (Safdarjung Hospital New Delhi) for the management of Osteoarthritis (Knee), Feasibility of introducing the Indian System of Medicine (Ayurveda) in the National Reproductive and Child Health services at the Primary Health Care (PHC) level in Himachal Pradesh and Integration of Ayush systems in the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS) and Feasibility of introducing Ayurveda Intervention in Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) in PHCs of the 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). Further, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and CCRAS has taken and 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 Extra Mural research Scheme of ICMR. 2. Central Council for CCRUM has established four re-location centers at Dr. RML Research in Unani Hospital, Dr. DDU Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi and J.J. Medicine (CCRUM) Hospital at Mumbai. Collaborative projects with modern academic/ research Institutions have also been under taken by the Council to integrate and promote Unani Medicine. 3. Central Council for CCRH is working towards integration of Homoeopathy with Research in mainstream healthcare by undertaking research in collaboration and Homoeopathy (CCRH) cooperation in the field of integrative medicine. The Council has co- location of homoeopathy treatment centre in allopathic hospital for providing treatment on various clinical conditions at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, Lady Hardinge Medical College & Hospital, New Delhi, Delhi Cantonment General Hospital, New Delhi, Clinical trial Unit, at BRD Medical College and Hospital, Gorakhpur, U.P, Civil Hospital, Aizwal, Mizoram and District hospital, Dimapur, Nagaland. The Council has also taken initiative to link Homoeopathy along with mainstream healthcare set-up by undertaking various Public Health programmes such as the Integration of NPCDCS 4Programme for Homoeopathy, Swasthya Rakshan program (SRP), the Programme ‘Homoeopathy for Healthy teething', a component of ‘Homoeopathy for healthy child and Schedule Caste (SC) Component plan’. 4. Central Council for CCRS has taken initiatives for integrating Siddha practices with the Research in Siddha modern healthcare system by encouraging scientific research and (CCRS) clinical trials to validate the efficacy and safety of Ayush treatments along with modern treatments. Integrated Siddha cancer OPD has been functioning at All India Institute of Ayurveda campus and Siddha cancer OPD at Safdarjung hospital aiding the Palliative care of cancer patients through Siddha system through Siddha Clinical Research Unit, Safdarjung, New Delhi under CCRS. CCRS has signed MoU with AIIMS Rishikesh for initiating collaborative research activities for Cancer Management, Reproductive & Childcare and Regenerative Medicine. 5. Central Council for CCRYN is a part of the ICMR Task Force on Multi-centric Study Research in Yoga & project on Heart Failure across the country. Naturopathy (CCRYN) 6. All India Institute of AIIA, New Delhi, integrative medical services are available under Ayurveda (AllA) Centre for Integrative Ayush Therapy (Unani, Siddha & Homeopathy), Centre for Integrative Cancer Therapy, Centre for Integrative Dentistry, Centre for Integrative Critical Care & Emergency Medicine, Centre for Integrative Orthopedics, Centre for Integrative Dietetics and Nutrition and Causality OPD Section. Integrated services are also provided through Satellite Clinical Services Units established at Integrative Medical Services Unit at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, Integrative Medical Services Unit AIIMS Jhajjar and Centre for Integrative Oncology at National Cancer Institute - AIIMS, Jhajjar. Further, a Centre for Integrative Oncology (CIO) has been established at AllA, New Delhi as a joint venture of AIIA and Indian Council of Medical Research National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR-ICMR). Ayush Journal of Integrative Oncology (AJIO) is being published from Centre for Integrative Oncology (CIO) at AIIA. This Institute also has an International Collaborative Centre for global promotion and research in Ayurveda. 7. The Institute of ITRA conducts integrative research with the modern medical system. Teaching & Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) 58. National Institute of To promote integrated research in the Siddha system of medicine and Siddha (NIS) provide Siddha treatment to the patients visiting Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), NIS inaugurated an upgraded Siddha specialty OPD at Kelambakkam jointly with Chettinad Academy of Research Education (CARE). NIS has been conducting a Specialty Integrative Traditional Siddha Medicine OPD (SISMO) at Centre for Integrative Medicine Research, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka. Further, NIS started a Siddha Integrated Cancer Care Centre(S-IC Care Centre) to provide integrated treatment to cancer patients. 9. Morarji Desai National MDNIY is a WHO Collaborating Centre for Medicine (Yoga) Institute of Yoga Traditional for 4th consecutive terms from 2013. MDNIY is running 4 (MDNIY) Yoga Centres at Govt. Modern Medicine Hospital in Delhi and Preventive Health Care Unit of Yoga in 20 CGHS Wellness Centres in Delhi NCR. 6