How Will the National AYUSH Mission Shape the Future of Healthcare in India?

To enhance the accessibility, quality, and effectiveness of Indian healthcare and reshape the field of traditional Indian medicine, the National AYUSH Mission (NAM), managed by the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy), was initiated in September 2014. The Government of India launched the centrally sponsored scheme under NAM to develop and promote traditional medicinal practices through the state and Union Territory (UT) governments. Under NAM, financial assistance is provided to state and UT governments to promote AYUSH practices by upgrading government, panchayat, and government-aided AYUSH hospitals and dispensaries. This funding is used for renovations and modifications of existing facilities, and for purchasing furniture, fixtures, and equipment, based on the proposed State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs). 

Source: Ministry of AYUSH

Impact of NAM on the Indian Healthcare Sector 

• Mainstream healthcare: NAM promotes the integration of AYUSH systems with mainstream allopathic medicine, creating a comprehensive approach to healthcare. By blending these traditional practices with modern medicine, it aims to provide comprehensive treatment options that address both preventive and curative aspects of health. 
• Economical services: A key objective of NAM is delivering cost-effective AYUSH services to the population. This involves making traditional Indian medicine accessible by establishing a robust infrastructure that includes clinics, hospitals and wellness centres. The mission aims to ensure that these services are affordable and available to all, particularly in underserved areas. By promoting the integration of AYUSH practices into the mainstream healthcare system, the initiative seeks to improve overall health outcomes while respecting the principles of traditional medicine. This objective aligns with the broader goal of promoting holistic health across the nation. 
• Promoting global awareness: NAM aims to strengthen the global presence of AYUSH systems, especially Ayurveda. This objective is followed through various initiatives, including establishing bilateral agreements and collaborative research partnerships with other countries. To date, 24 country-to-country Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and 46 institute-to-institute MoUs have been signed. The mission promotes Ayurveda as a credible traditional medicine system, with recognition in over 30 countries and practices in more than 50. Additionally, by supporting the export of AYUSH products to over 150 nations, the mission broadens the global reach of AYUSH, highlighting its importance in international healthcare. 
• Strengthening educational institutions for AYUSH: NAM is transforming and restructuring the AYUSH education sector in line with the National Education Policy of 2020. This initiative aims to create a medical education system that provides access to quality and affordable education, ensuring the availability of highly skilled AYUSH professionals. By advancing equitable and universal healthcare, the mission promotes an inclusive and integrated approach to the traditional medicine practice. 
  By aligning AYUSH with the National Education Policy 2020, these initiatives introduce unprecedented levels of transparency, efficiency and student-cantered learning within the AYUSH sector. This approach ensures robust regulation and standardisation of AYUSH education, enhancing its quality and effectiveness. With the government’s constant efforts, the number of collages providing quality medical education has increased in the last decade. This transformation in the Ayush education will provide skilled healthcare workers in future improving the quality of services in the sector. 

Source: Ministry of AYUSH 

• Promoting entrepreneurship: The AYUSH sector is witnessing a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem resulting in the growth of MSME in Ayush from 38,216 in August 2021 to 53,023 in January 2023. To support this growth, the Ministry of Ayush introduced the Champion Services Sector Scheme for Medical Value Travel, which offers financial assistance through interest subsidies to private investors establishing super specialty hospitals and daycare centres under the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and the National Commission for Homeopathy (NCH). To further encourage entrepreneurship, the All-India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) launched the AIIA-ICAINE, an incubation centre aimed at nurturing innovative ventures. Additionally, the Ministry of Ayush partnered with the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) to bolster Ayush enterprises. 
  The startup landscape in this sector is booming, with 900 DPIIT-recognised startups as of December 2022. Particularly, 52% of these startups are from tier 2 and tier 3 cities, highlighting the incorporation of traditional Ayush methods with growing business opportunities. This growth has also created approximately 8,500 jobs, improving the economic landscape. 

Development 

In the past decade, the Ministry of Ayush has transformed the landscape of traditional Indian medicine, becoming a leader in holistic healthcare since its establishment in 2014 under Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s leadership. The Ministry has focused on integrating Ayush systems into mainstream healthcare, encouraging research and innovation, and ensuring quality and global relevance. Its strategic approach encompasses public health, technology, education and quality control, promoting access to safe, high-quality Ayush products and services. This has led to increased public awareness and demand, driving substantial growth, and shaping the future of the sector. Initiatives started by the ministry that have yielded positive results include the following: 

• Research initiatives and achievements 
  Research and development are necessary for advancing the Ayush mission, and the Ministry has prioritised this area through the establishment of Centres of Excellence. To enhance the global acceptance of Ayush, the Government of India identified and supported leading institutions in education, drug development, and research. The enhancement of R&D initiatives has a major impact on the future of AYUSH and the healthcare sector. Below are steps that have been taken: 
  • The CSIR-IGIB made significant steps by linking Ayurveda Prakriti with genomic sequences, paving the way for personalised medicine. 
  • The Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research (CIMR) at AIIMS is conducting impactful studies on Ayurveda and Yoga, highlighting Yoga's effectiveness in treating migraines.  
  • The Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences is investigating the effects of Vairocana on gut microbiota. 
  • Ayurtech IIT Jodhpur is developing AI-driven frameworks for health risk stratification. 
• Technology 
  The Ministry of Ayush is on a transformative journey into the digital landscape, demonstrating a strong commitment to integrating technology into healthcare. Ayush Grid, a comprehensive digital healthcare system, was launched along with 22 key digital initiatives (AHMIS, m-Yoga, Y-Break, Namaste Yoga App, E-Sanjeevani mobile app, among others). This addition will accelerate the mainstreaming of AYUSH within the broad healthcare framework of India. 
• Education 
  The AYUSH Ministry restructured the Ayush education sector, aligning it with the National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020. These reforms provide quality and affordable education, produce skilled Ayush professionals, and promote equitable healthcare. The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) Act 2020 and the National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH) Act 2020 replaced the outdated legislation Indian Medicine Central Council Act 1970 and Homoeopathy Central Council Act 1973 respectively, ensuring transparency and student-centred education in the Ayush sector. Ayush colleges have surged from 334 in 2014 to 1,137 in 2024, reflecting the growing interest and recognition of Ayush subjects and strengthening the educational infrastructure. The integration of AYUSH as part of the broader healthcare education is set to boost the development in the sector. 
• Public health 
  The integration of Ayush into the Indian healthcare system has initiated a significant transformation, prioritising traditional medicine for the public's benefit. Key initiatives like the NAM and Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush) reflect a commitment to cost-effective healthcare and universal access. 

Ayush actively contributes to programs like the Poshan Abhiyaan, led to a growth of patient admissions for Ayush treatment and has achieved NABH accreditation for its hospitals. The inclusion of the Sowa-Rigpa treatment highlights its integrated approach. Ayushman Arogya Mandir has seen beneficiaries rise from US$ 179,587 (Rs. 1.5 crore) in 2021 to US$ 1.0 million (Rs. 8.9 crore) in 2023, highlighting its growing impact. 

Source: Ministry of Ayush 

With a rising number of beneficiaries, the stage is set for a prominent future of the sector. With public health as a priority, it is expected to benefit many, enhancing healthcare security. 

Navigating the challenges 

NAM faces challenges that need addressing. First, fund utilisation is low, with only 85% used in 2022-23. To improve this, streamlined financial processes and timely fund allocation are essential. Concerns regarding the quality of medicines, particularly high metal content, necessitate the establishment of advanced analytical labs and robust testing protocols to ensure safety. To enhance quality control, regular post-marketing surveillance and transformation of standards with WHO benchmarks are crucial. Finally, bridging the integration gap between Ayush and allopathic systems requires developing clear pathways and promoting collaborative protocols, while awareness campaigns can build consumer confidence in Ayush practices. 

Road ahead  

AYUSH has introduced traditional medicine into India's healthcare system, significantly influencing public health. Initiatives like the NAM and Ayushman Arogya Mandir reflect a commitment to cost-effective healthcare, resulting in an increase in beneficiaries. Since its elevation to a ministry in 2014, the AYUSH sector has witnessed remarkable growth, with the manufacturing industry expanding from US$ 2.85 billion (Rs. 21,697 crore) to US$ 18.1 billion (Rs. 1,37,800 crore) in seven years. 

Entrepreneurship is also booming, supported by government schemes that provide financial assistance to super-specialty hospitals and daycare centres. The startup ecosystem is also flourishing, with 900 recognised startups contributing to job creation and innovation. Additionally, AYUSH tourism is increasing, with diverse wellness destinations attracting domestic and international travellers. Initiatives like the AYUSH Visa simplifies access for foreign visitors seeking treatments, while the government's commitment to developing AYUSH infrastructure positions India as a leading destination for holistic healthcare and wellness tourism.