Ayush Ministry seeks integration of traditional medicine in military healthcare
New Delhi, July 22
Union MoS Ayush, Health & Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, has written to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh proposing the establishment of Ayush outpatient departments and Ayush‑based treatment services across Military and Field Hospitals, an official statement said on Wednesday.
Jadhav noted that while the Armed Forces have robust modern medical infrastructure, integrating India's traditional systems of medicine could strengthen preventive, promotive and holistic healthcare for defence personnel.
In his letter, Jadhav highlighted the vital role played by the Armed Forces Medical Services in providing healthcare to the country's soldiers serving in diverse and often challenging operational environments.
He said many military and field Hospitals currently lack dedicated Ayush services and opening them would provide soldiers with greater access to evidence-based traditional healthcare, particularly in the areas of preventive healthcare, lifestyle management, rehabilitation and overall well-being.
Jadhav emphasised that the inclusion of Ayush services would complement the existing healthcare framework and contribute to a more comprehensive and patient-centric model of care for Armed Forces personnel.
He also noted that such an initiative would further promote the integration of India's rich traditional medical heritage with the country's public healthcare delivery systems.
He has also conveyed that the Ministry of Ayush is fully prepared to extend all necessary technical support, professional guidance and institutional cooperation, including signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to facilitate the implementation of the initiative.
The government has strengthened quality assurance, regulatory compliance of Ayush drugs, including those sold on e‑commerce platforms through several regulatory measures and schemes, another statement said.
The Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs Rules, 1945 provide exclusive regulatory provisions for Ayurvedic, Siddha, Sowa‑Rigpa, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs and require manufacturers to meet licensing conditions to manufacture for sale.
The Ministry has launched the Ayush Suraksha Portal for real-time reporting and monitoring of misleading advertisements and suspected adverse drug reactions.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally! Our soldiers face extreme conditions in Ladakh, Siachen, and the Northeast—Ayurveda and yoga can really help with stress, digestion issues, and joint problems. 😊 Hope the MoU is signed quickly!
As a foreign observer, I find this interesting. India's traditional medicine has millennia of practice—why not use it alongside modern medicine? The key is standardization and quality control, which the article mentions they're working on. Could be a model for other countries.
I'm a bit skeptical. While I love Ayurveda for daily wellness, battlefield injuries need modern emergency care. Hope they don't divert crucial resources away from proven treatments. But for long-term health maintenance, this could be great for our brave soldiers. 🇮🇳
I've seen how yoga and meditation help veterans with PTSD in the US. India's military could truly benefit from this holistic approach. The Ayush Suraksha Portal for monitoring misleading ads is a smart move—keeps the system honest.
As a retired Army officer, I welcome this. During my service, many soldiers used home remedies anyway. Formalizing this with proper doctors and quality checks is a win-win. Just need to ensure proper training for Ayush doctors in military settings—our men face unique challenges.
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