**Executive Summary**
The two-day Chintan Shivir 2026, concluded on April 17, 2026, by Union Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav, established a strategic roadmap for the Ayush sector focused on integrative healthcare and governance. The event emphasized the transition of Ayush into an evidence-based mainstream system through digital health initiatives, policy convergence, and expanded insurance coverage. Key action items include the implementation of time-bound strategies to achieve the "Viksit Bharat 2047" vision for holistic health.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Policy Integration and Healthcare Strategy**
* Advocated for the seamless integration of Ayush with modern medicine to achieve Universal Health Coverage and the Vision 2047 goals.
* Focused on incorporating Ayush into national programs like Ayushman Arogya Mandir to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, and maternal-child health.
* Emphasized policy convergence and inter-ministerial coordination to strengthen public health delivery.
**Digital Transformation and Innovation**
* Prioritized digital health platforms, including the "Ayush Grid" and telemedicine, to improve healthcare accessibility in rural areas.
* Promoted digital interoperability through the use of ABHA IDs for continuity of care.
* Launched the Ministry’s official WhatsApp Channel to enhance digital engagement.
**Insurance and Accessibility Initiatives**
* Signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the General Insurance Council to expand insurance coverage for Ayush treatments.
* Released a benchmark rates document to standardize Ayush insurance.
* Launched a dedicated toll-free number (1800-11-0008) for Ayush insurance support.
**Capacity Building and Governance**
* Utilized "Mission Karmayogi" and digital platforms like "iGOT" for structured learning, leadership development, and domain-specific training.
* Aim to build a "future-ready" workforce equipped with administrative and communication capabilities.
**Public Outreach and Branding**
* Adopted data-driven communication and multi-channel campaigns (including social media and influencers) to improve grassroots adoption.
* Positioned Ayush as an evidence-based system through storytelling and digital engagement to build public trust.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ayush Workforce and Practitioners**
**Impact**
They are expected to transition toward a more professionalized, digitally-literate, and evidence-based framework of practice.
**Action Required**
Practitioners must engage in continuous learning and skill development through platforms like iGOT and Mission Karmayogi.
**General Public (Patients)**
**Impact**
Individuals gain better access to holistic healthcare, especially in rural areas, and benefit from expanded financial protection via insurance.
**Action Required**
Users should utilize the new toll-free insurance support number and official WhatsApp channel for information and assistance.
**Insurance Providers**
**Impact**
The sector now has a standardized framework for coverage through the released benchmark rates and the new MoU.
**Action Required**
Insurers must align their policies with the newly released benchmark rates to provide expanded Ayush treatment coverage.
**Government and Policymakers**
**Impact**
Departments are required to move from siloed operations to an integrated, inter-ministerial approach for public health.
**Action Required**
Officials must develop and execute time-bound, actionable strategies based on the outcomes of the Shivir to meet 2047 objectives.
Key Entities Referenced
Chintan Shivir–2026: A national-level brainstorming exercise organized to strengthen policy, governance, and implementation frameworks for the Ayush sector.
Ministry of Ayush: The primary Union Ministry responsible for developing the strategic roadmap for traditional Indian medicine systems and integrative healthcare.
Ayushman Arogya Mandir: A national healthcare program targeted for the deep integration of Ayush services into mainstream public health, focusing on NCDs and maternal health.
Viksit Bharat 2047: The overarching national vision guiding the long-term strategic goals for a healthy and developed India, which the Ayush sector aims to support.
Ayush Grid: A digital health platform initiative designed to improve accessibility and technological interoperability within the Ayush healthcare ecosystem.
AYUSH
Union Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav Concludes
Chintan Shivir 2026; Calls for Action-Oriented
Roadmap for Strengthening Ayush Sector
2-Day Chintan Shivir Charts Strategic Future for Integrative
Healthcare, Governance, and Outreach in Ayush
Posted On: 17 APR 2026 7:01PM by PIB Delhi
Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush and Minister of
State for Health & Family Welfare, today presided over the valedictory session of the two-day Chintan
Shivir–2026 in New Delhi, marking the successful conclusion of a comprehensive national-level
brainstorming exercise aimed at strengthening policy, governance, and implementation frameworks in the
Ayush sector.
Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister expressed satisfaction with the meaningful deliberations
held during the Shivir and emphasised that the exercise has emerged as a strong reflection of the
government’s collective vision, commitment, and determination to advance Ayush. He underlined that
Ayush represents not just a system of treatment but a holistic health and lifestyle approach, offering
solutions to modern health challenges, particularly lifestyle-related diseases.
Reiterating the importance of integrative and multidisciplinary approaches, Shri Jadhav called for deeper
institutional integration of Ayush with mainstream healthcare systems, strengthening of evidence-based
research, and enhanced focus on digital health platforms such as Ayush Grid and telemedicine to improve
accessibility, especially in rural areas. He also stressed the need for entrepreneurship, innovation, and
capacity building to unlock the sector’s full potential and contribute meaningfully to the vision of Viksit
Bharat 2047.
The Day-2 of the event began with an engaging session focused on policy convergence and inter-
ministerial coordination for strengthening Ayush in public health. Moderated by Dr. A. Raghu, the session
witnessed the gracious presence of domain leaders and higher officials of the Union Government,
including Ms Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare; Dr. Vinod Paul,
Member, NITI, and Ms Preeti Sudan, former Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
Dr. Vinod Paul outlined a national vision for integrative healthcare, emphasising seamless integration of
Ayush with modern medicine to achieve Universal Health Coverage and Vision 2047 goals, with a focus
on preventive and holistic care.
Ms Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, highlighted strategies for
integrating Ayush into national programmes such as Ayushman Arogya Mandir, focusing on NCDs, mental
health, and maternal-child health, supported by digital interoperability through ABHA ID. Ms PreetiSudan contributed insights on strengthening coordination and policy frameworks. The session emphasised
policy integration, co-location of services, digital health adoption, research collaborations, and last-mile
delivery, thereby improving accessibility, continuity, and quality of care.
Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, in his address, noted that the Chintan Shivir served
as a platform for collective introspection, policy review, and the development of a future roadmap. He
highlighted that the discussions reflected a clear consensus on strengthening research, standardisation, and
global credibility, while also emphasising the importance of effective communication and public outreach,
particularly through digital platforms.
He stated that the outcomes of the Shivir would guide time-bound, actionable strategies to further
strengthen the Ayush ecosystem.
A comprehensive presentation on the proceedings and outcomes of the two-day Shivir was made by Joint
Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Alarmelmangai D, summarising key insights and actionable takeaways from
all sessions.
The Shivir was inaugurated on April 16, 2026, by Shri Prataprao Jadhav, who emphasised the need to
strengthen policy direction, research, innovation, and global outreach in Ayush.
Key initiatives launched during the event included:
MoU between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the General Insurance Council to expand insurance
coverage for Ayush treatments
Launch of the Ministry’s official WhatsApp Channel
Release of the benchmark rates document for Ayush insurance
Launch of toll-free number 1800-11-0008 for Ayush insurance support
The fifth session on “Entrepreneurship & Capacity Building” highlighted the role of Mission Karmayogi
in transforming governance through structured learning and skill development.
R. Bala Subramaniyam and Deepa Krishnan emphasised continuous learning through digital platforms
like iGOT, leadership development, and domain-specific training. The session stressed the need to build a
future-ready Ayush workforce with strong leadership, communication, and administrative capabilities.
The sixth session focused on strengthening media outreach and branding strategies to enhance public
engagement.
Experts, including Yashwant Deshmukh, Rahul Dewan, and Prabal Pratap Singh, emphasised data-driven
communication, storytelling, and digital engagement to position Ayush as an evidence-based mainstream
healthcare system.
The session highlighted the need to leverage social media, influencers, and multi-channel campaigns to
improve visibility, trust, and adoption at the grassroots level.
The two-day Chintan Shivir–2026 successfully brought together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders
to deliberate on critical aspects, including education, research, service delivery, legal preparedness,
digitalisation, entrepreneurship, and communication.
The Shivir concluded with a shared resolve to adopt a collaborative, evidence-based, and action-oriented
approach to strengthen the Ayush sector and enhance its role in achieving the vision of a healthy and
developed India by 2047.*****
SR/SV
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