Prataprao Jadhav inaugurates Departmental Summit on ‘National Ayush Mission and Capacity Building in States’

On 3rd September 2025, the Ministry of Ayush marked an important step forward in strengthening traditional healthcare systems across India. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Shri Prataprao Jadhav inaugurated the Departmental Summit on 'National Ayush Mission and Capacity Building in

States' at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Sarita Vihar, New Delhi. The event was graced by Dr. V. K. Paul, Member (Health) of NITI Aayog, and Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush.

Speaking at the summit, Shri Jadhav highlighted the Government’s firm commitment to developing healthcare frameworks tailored specifically for the diverse needs of different states. He shared that the Government is actively working on creating detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) to improve the quality of healthcare services and ensure better integration of Ayush systems with modern medical practices.

Tracing the journey of the National Ayush Mission since its launch in 2014, Shri Jadhav pointed out the mission’s significant impact in making Ayush healthcare accessible and affordable. A notable milestone he mentioned was the establishment of 12,500 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across the country. These centers have shifted focus from just outpatient services to delivering holistic preventive and promotive healthcare.

The Minister also informed attendees about the March 2024 introduction of Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) specifically for Ayush facilities, developed collaboratively with NITI Aayog and the Directorate General of Health Services. These standards aim to bring uniformity and uphold high quality in Ayush infrastructure, medicines, clinical trials, and more.

In an uplifting announcement, Shri Jadhav declared that Ayurveda Day will now be celebrated annually on September 23. The 10th anniversary this year is themed "Ayurveda for People and Planet," underlining Ayurveda’s significance not only for individual health but also for ecological balance. He appealed to all states and union territories to come together to elevate Ayurveda Day into a global health movement.

Further emphasizing institutional progress, the Union Minister announced the launch of the Project Management Unit at AIIA. This dedicated unit will assist various stakeholders in accessing insurance schemes linked with Ayush treatments, paving the way for better financial support and patient reach.

Shri Jadhav also inaugurated the ‘Ayurvidya Advanced Centre’ at AIIA, a pioneering digital platform aimed at democratizing Ayurveda education. This Centre will provide expert-led courses, live webinars, and interactive sessions, playing a key role in capacity building and professional development within the Ayush community.

Dr. V. K. Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, underlined the crucial role that the Ayush sector plays in shaping a “Swasth Bharat,” which forms the foundation for achieving the vision of “Viksit Bharat @ 2047.” He emphasized that good health is both a driver and an indicator of national development. Dr. Paul praised India’s achievements in disease control, especially under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, with efforts to eliminate diseases like Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Measles.

The journey ahead, he said, must focus on raising average life expectancy from 71 to 85 years by adopting an integrated healthcare approach that includes both modern medicine and traditional Ayush systems. Dr. Paul called for improved implementation of the National Ayush Mission, strengthening educational infrastructure, promoting wellness and medical tourism, and fostering a vibrant Ayush private sector.

Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha stressed the importance of spreading the ‘Har Ghar Ayuryog’ initiative—a combination of Ayush and Yoga—for better health at the grassroots level. He explained that the two-day summit revolves around six key themes aimed at driving behavioral change, which is essential for the successful implementation of Ayush policies.

The summit also featured detailed presentations by senior bureaucrats from various States and Union Territories, who shared state-specific findings and feedback gathered from grassroots-level stakeholders. These insights are expected to help refine and expand the National Ayush Mission in a participatory and strategic manner.

In sum, this summit marks a significant milestone in India’s path toward integrating traditional systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, and Homeopathy with mainstream healthcare, ensuring affordable, high-quality services that contribute to a healthier nation and a sustainable future.