Integration of Ayush within national health care systems: Challenges and the way forward

Abstract

The utilization of traditional knowledge is crucial for achieving universal healthcare, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014–23. The Indian systems of Medicine—Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and homeopathy (Ayush)—have been projected to play a significant role in universal healthcare due to the emphasis placed on preventive and promotive health, their reasonable cost, low level of technological input, and the rising popularity of naturally derived plant-based products. These systems are being recommended for inclusion in national public health policy. Traditional Medicine (TM) is being used more frequently, which has raised questions regarding its safety and toxicity potential, such as hepatotoxicity. Thus, under the Department of Ayush’s vision and mission-2030, it is intended to develop scientific evidence in Ayurvedic principles and drug therapies by integrating ancient wisdom with modern technology and to bring Ayurveda to the people through innovations related to diagnostics, preventive, promotive as well as treatment methods and introduce scientific research for sustained availability of quality natural resources, to translate them into practical applications as modern science solutions for ensuring international acceptance of Ayush systems and their integration into National Health System and Modern Medicine, achieving the goal of One Nation, One Health System. Ayurvedic biology, standardization through chemobiological fingerprinting, chemobiological assays, and Pharmacovigilance studies of herbal medicines are suggested.