Published on 13 Feb 2025
AYUSH is an acronym for a set of traditional medical practices in India such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy, which are based on definite medical philosophies and represent a way of healthy living.
Relevance of AYUSH
✔ Preventive healthcare: AYUSH system focuses on lifestyle modification, dietary practices, wellness routines etc. These preventive healthcare practices aid in maintaining better health.
● Example: The asanas of yoga can boost innate immune response, interrupt inflammation, and thereby prevent the manifestations of chronic diseases.
✔ Address human resource shortage: India lags in terms of number of health professionals. Hence integrating AYUSH doctors can address this deficit for doctors.
● Example: India has 5.65 lakh AYUSH doctors. Combining them with allopathic doctors makes India’s doctor to population ratio as 1:834, which is better than the WHO standard of 1:1000.
✔ Cost effective: As AYUSH focuses on lifestyle changes, the cost incurred on treating diseases gets reduced, thus decreasing the out of pocket expense on health.
● Example: The average cost per person for allopathic care at an urban primary health centre is 325, while it is 189 in a homoeopathic dispensary. (NCBI data)
✔ Better rural health: The penetration of modern hospitals into rural areas is low. The AYUSH system of medicine can compensate for this, as rural people have a better understanding of traditional medicines.
● Example: Around 21% of rural primary health centres function without doctors. This deficit could be addressed by AYUSH medical personnel. (NCBI data)
✔ Less chance of side effects: Many people have aversion towards modern medicines due to allegations of having side effects. Such possibility is less for AYUSH medicines.
✔ Holistic approach: AYUSH emphasizes a holistic approach to health, through focus on physical, mental and spiritual well-being of an individual.
✔ Global recognition: Indian system of traditional medicines has captured international attention. This can promote medical tourism and aid India in nurturing its soft power.
● Example: Recently, WHO's Global Summit on Traditional Medicine was held in Gandhi Nagar and India - ASEAN Conference on Traditional Medicine was held in New Delhi.
Reason for less penetration of AYUSH
✔ Question of scientific validation: Many practices followed in the traditional medical system lack scientific backing, which hinders the young population from preferring AYUSH.
● Example: The lack of scientific backing has made homoeopathy a pseudoscience, which works merely based on a placebo effect.
✔ Quality control and regulation: Lack of proper standardization has made it difficult to ensure quality of the medicines, which may lead to negative health consequences.
● Example: According to a study published in JAMA, approximately 20% of Ayurvedic herbal medicine products found on the internet contained detectable levels of lead, mercury, or arsenic.
✔ Limited resource availability: The funding for AYUSH research and the investment in traditional health centres has been low over the years.
● Example: Even when the government is heavily promoting AYUSH, the funding for the ministry in budget 2023-24 has been only 3647 crore.
✔ Preference for quick remedy: Allopathic medicine has gained popularity for curing diseases faster and this has reduced the demand for time-consuming traditional medicines.
✔ Misleading claims: There have been instances where practitioners make exaggerated claims on traditional medicines. This creates a detrimental effect on public trust.
● Example: Recently, the Supreme Court warned Patanjali not to make any false, misleading claims about their product.
✔ Lack of integration with modern medicines: The traditional system has preferred an isolationist approach, and this has reduced their growth potential.
Government initiative for the promotion of AYUSH
✔ AYUSH Parks: have been introduced in India to promote the manufacturing and research of AYUSH products.
✔ WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (WHO GCTM): The WHO GCTM in Jamnagar, Gujarat, is the first global traditional medicine centre established to modernize traditional medicine, improve global health, and support regulation in health systems.
✔ National AYUSH Mission: To ensure better service delivery and quality control of AYUSH medical care and the promotion of AYUSH educational institutions.
✔ AYUSH Entrepreneurship Programme: Providing incentives for the promotion of enterprises which aid in the growth of traditional medicines.
✔ AYUSH Wellness Centres: To promote holistic preventive and promotive practices to empower the public for self-care.
✔ AYUSH Sanjivani App: To analyse the usage of AYUSH interventions and their efficacy in maintaining health by enhancing immunity.
Way forward
✔ Establish quality testing laboratories: Well-equipped laboratories with standardized procedures to reduce the harmful impact of traditional medicines.
✔ Better financial allocation: Increase funding and provide grants for the promoting of evidence-based research on traditional practices.
✔ Public acceptance: Popularize the benefits and achievements of traditional medicines to increase public trust in the AYUSH system of medicines.
✔ Enhance Scientific Research: Invest in research to validate traditional medicine practices.
● Example: All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) collaborates with research institutions on Ayurvedic studies.
✔ Education and Training: Improve curricula and offer advanced courses for traditional medicine practitioners.
● Example: South Korea provides rigorous education and exams for Korean traditional medicine.
✔ Integration with Modern Medicine: Combine traditional and modern healthcare for comprehensive treatment.
● Example: Germany integrates homoeopathy and naturopathy into its healthcare system.
✔ Regulation and Licensing: Establish clear regulations and licensing for traditional medicine practitioners.
● Example: Central Council of Indian Medicine sets standards for Ayurvedic education and practice.
✔ Telemedicine and Digital Health: Use technology to extend traditional medicine’s reach, especially to remote areas.
● Example: The e-Sanjeevani platform offers Ayurveda consultations nationwide.
✔ International Collaboration: Partner with global organizations to advance traditional medicine research and acceptance.
● Example: WHO supports global integration of traditional medicine.
Hence, the Indian way of medical care, popularized
through AYUSH, has immense scope for growth. But better funding, research and
quality guidelines are necessary for increasing their appeal
among domestic and foreign customers
Social Justice
AYUSH
Ayurveda
Yoga
Unani
Siddha
Homeopathy
Sanjivani App
General Studies Paper 2
Social Justice
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