New Delhi, Feb 28 (KNN) Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently chaired a high-level meeting at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg to review the Ayush sector’s development, emphasising its critical role in holistic healthcare, traditional knowledge preservation, and contribution to India’s wellness ecosystem. 

The meeting focused on evaluating the sector’s progress since the establishment of the Ministry of Ayush in 2014 and outlining strategic interventions to maximise its potential.

During the review, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the sector’s significant contributions to preventive healthcare, rural economic development through medicinal plant cultivation, and India’s global leadership in traditional medicine. 

He noted the sector’s resilience and growing worldwide acceptance, along with its capacity to drive sustainable development and generate employment opportunities.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the Ayush sector through enhanced policy support, research initiatives, and innovation. 

He emphasised the importance of promoting holistic and integrated health approaches, as well as establishing standard protocols for Yoga, Naturopathy, and the Pharmacy Sector. 

Modi also underscored that transparency must remain fundamental to all government operations, directing stakeholders to maintain the highest standards of integrity in their work.

The Ayush sector has experienced remarkable growth across multiple dimensions, evolving into a significant component of India’s healthcare landscape. 

Notable achievements include exponential economic expansion, with the manufacturing market size increasing from USD 2.85 billion in 2014 to USD 23 billion in 2023. 

India has positioned itself as a global leader in evidence-based traditional medicine, with the Ayush Research Portal now containing over 43,000 studies and research publications in the past decade surpassing those of the previous 60 years combined.

Other key accomplishments include the introduction of the Ayush Visa to enhance medical tourism, significant breakthroughs through collaborations with premier national and international institutions, and infrastructure strengthening with increased focus on artificial intelligence integration under the Ayush Grid. 

The sector is also leveraging digital technologies for Yoga promotion and expanding content on the iGot platform.

International achievements include the establishment of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, and the inclusion of traditional medicine in the World Health Organisation’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11. 

The National Ayush Mission has been instrumental in expanding the sector’s infrastructure and accessibility, while the International Day of Yoga has become a global phenomenon with more than 24.52 crore participants in 2024. 

The upcoming 10th International Day of Yoga in 2025 is anticipated to be a significant milestone with increased global participation.

(KNN Bureau)