Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday to review the progress of the Ayush sector, emphasizing the need for strategic interventions to harness its full potential in healthcare, traditional knowledge preservation, and global expansion.
Since the establishment of the Ministry of Ayush in 2014, the Prime Minister has envisioned a clear roadmap for its development, recognizing its vast potential in holistic well-being and preventive healthcare. During the review, he stressed the importance of streamlining initiatives, optimizing resources, and positioning Ayush as a global leader in traditional medicine.
Highlighting the sector’s impact, PM Modi underscored its contributions to boosting rural economies through medicinal plant cultivation, strengthening India’s standing in global healthcare, and supporting sustainable development and job creation. He reiterated the government’s commitment to advancing the Ayush sector through policy support, research, and innovation, particularly in Yoga, Naturopathy, and Pharmacy.
The Prime Minister emphasized that transparency must remain a cornerstone of all government operations, urging stakeholders to uphold integrity and work solely for the public good. He also pointed to the Ayush sector’s rapid evolution, citing achievements in education, research, public health, trade, and digitalization.
According to an official release, the Ayush sector has demonstrated exponential economic growth, with its manufacturing market size surging from USD 2.85 billion in 2014 to USD 23 billion in 2023. India has emerged as a global leader in evidence-based traditional medicine, with the Ayush Research Portal now hosting over 43,000 studies. Research publications in the last decade have surpassed those of the previous 60 years.
The introduction of the Ayush Visa has further bolstered medical tourism, attracting international patients seeking holistic healthcare solutions. Additionally, collaborations with premier institutions have strengthened the sector, with a renewed focus on integrating artificial intelligence under the Ayush Grid. Digital technologies will be leveraged for Yoga promotion, with platforms hosting holistic wellness content.
A key milestone in India’s leadership in traditional medicine has been the establishment of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The National Ayush Mission has played a crucial role in expanding infrastructure and accessibility, while global participation in the International Day of Yoga (IDY) has grown significantly, with over 24.52 crore people taking part in 2024. The upcoming 10th anniversary of IDY is expected to witness even greater international participation.
Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav were among those present at the meeting.
(Inputs from ANI)
