On Dhanvantari Jayanti, observed as Ayurveda Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated an array of transformative healthcare projects, focusing on integrating traditional medicine with modern healthcare to drive India’s healthcare system forward. Central to the announcement was the launch of Phase II of the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi, a cornerstone project aimed at elevating Ayurvedic healthcare to meet global standards. The Prime Minister highlighted AIIA as symbolic of India’s healthcare advancements, blending Ayurveda with contemporary medicine in an accessible way. "This marks a new era for India's healthcare sector," Modi stated, “combining traditional knowledge with modern technology” to serve citizens better.

Advancements in Ayurveda and Global Recognition

The ₹258.73 crore expansion of AIIA introduces multiple key facilities, including a 150-bed Panchakarma hospital, Ayurvedic pharmacy, sports medicine unit, and a 500-seat auditorium. The project also includes accommodations for both domestic and international guests, signaling India’s ambition to position AIIA as a global center for Ayurvedic study and wellness tourism. The Prime Minister expressed pride in Ayurveda’s growing international influence, with Ayurveda Day now celebrated in over 150 countries, highlighting the spread and recognition of India’s traditional health practices worldwide.

Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav launched a campaign named “Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan” on this occasion, a national health awareness drive aiming to promote Ayurvedic principles of holistic well-being across India. With the support of 470,000 volunteers, this campaign seeks to establish new Guinness World Records, raising awareness on the benefits of Ayurveda. Jadhav credited Modi's leadership for elevating the global profile of Ayurveda, noting that it now reaches over 95% of India’s urban and rural populations. Dr. Tanuja Nesari, AIIA’s Director, echoed this sentiment, stating that the institute’s expansion was “a divine blessing from Lord Dhanvantari.”

Broad Health Initiatives: Addressing Accessibility and Preventive Care

In addition to the AIIA expansion, PM Modi unveiled a series of health initiatives collectively worth more than ₹12,855 crore. These projects, spanning multiple ministries, are aligned with a five-pillar health policy focusing on preventive healthcare, early disease detection, affordability, rural access, and advanced health technology. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare received ₹5,502 crore, followed by the Department of Pharmaceuticals with ₹5,187 crore, the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) with ₹1,641 crore, and the Ministry of AYUSH with ₹525 crore.

To extend health coverage to vulnerable groups, Modi announced the Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) extension. This policy now includes citizens aged 70 and above through the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card, offering free hospital treatment with a dedicated budget of ₹3,437 crore. This initiative is intended to ease healthcare-related financial burdens for the elderly, particularly in economically constrained families.

As part of the strategy to bolster rural health infrastructure, Modi inaugurated additional medical facilities at various All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and several medical colleges across India. The emphasis is on bridging the urban-rural healthcare gap by establishing 75,000 new MBBS and MD seats over the next five years, which is expected to increase the number of healthcare providers in rural regions significantly. With the rise of AIIMS hospitals in smaller cities, Modi highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring that high-quality healthcare services reach India’s remote and underserved populations.

Technological Innovations in Health

In line with his vision to integrate digital solutions into healthcare, Modi launched the U-WIN portal, a digital platform designed to maintain and monitor immunization records. Targeting over 2.6 crore infants and nearly 3 crore pregnant women annually, this portal will track vaccinations for 12 diseases from birth to age 16. U-WIN aims to facilitate timely vaccinations, ensuring better health outcomes for children and reducing the incidence of preventable diseases.

The Prime Minister also introduced drone-based healthcare services at 11 AIIMS locations, alongside Helicopter Emergency Medical Services from AIIMS Rishikesh. The helicopter services will be able to cover a range of 100 nautical miles, ensuring rapid medical assistance in the mountainous terrains of Uttarakhand and neighboring regions. These technological advancements are part of a broader initiative to leverage innovative solutions for improved health delivery in remote areas.

Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and Jan Aushadhi Kendras

In a bid to reduce healthcare expenses for the common man, Modi announced the opening of nearly two lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. These centers will focus on the early detection of major diseases like cancer and diabetes, allowing for timely intervention and reducing treatment costs. Complementing this, the Jan Aushadhi Kendras initiative aims to provide medications at up to an 80% discount, saving approximately ₹30,000 crore annually for Indian citizens. Additionally, cost-effective medical devices, including stents and implants, are expected to save the public an additional ₹80,000 crore.

Strengthening Pharmaceutical Research and Local Manufacturing

Modi’s commitment to reducing dependency on imports for essential drugs and medical devices was underscored by the launch of five projects under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme. These initiatives target critical medical supplies, including body implants and antibiotics. To further enhance research, four Centers of Excellence (CoEs) were inaugurated at National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs) in Gujarat, Telangana, Assam, and Punjab. With a dedicated budget of ₹5,187 crore, these CoEs are poised to drive innovations in medical devices, drug discovery, and phytopharmaceuticals.

The Prime Minister acknowledged Ayurveda’s role in preventive health, citing the growing demand for Ayurvedic herbs like Ashwagandha, which is anticipated to reach a global market value of USD 2.5 billion by 2030. He stressed the importance of lab-validated Ayurvedic remedies, like turmeric and black pepper, in modern healthcare, noting their potential to bolster both public health and the Indian economy.

Ayush Centers of Excellence for Specialized Research

Four specialized Ayush Centers of Excellence were inaugurated, each dedicated to addressing specific health concerns through Ayurvedic research and sustainable health solutions. These include:

1. A center for diabetes and metabolic disorder research at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru.

2. A center at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi focusing on sustainable Ayush solutions.

3. A research center for fundamental and translational Ayurveda at the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) in Lucknow.

4. A center at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi for system-based medicine approaches to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

These CoEs represent a step towards integrating Ayurveda within the broader healthcare framework, which Modi believes will enhance health research, technological advancements, and boost India’s reputation as a destination for wellness tourism.

Commitment to a Holistic Health Approach

Prime Minister Modi’s latest healthcare initiatives reflect a commitment to holistic health that combines preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care. By reinforcing Ayurveda’s significance, advancing immunization tracking, expanding rural health infrastructure, and launching cost-saving medical programs, the government aims to foster a sustainable healthcare ecosystem accessible to all. As Jadhav remarked, "Ayush awareness is now a cornerstone of India’s health policy, bringing us closer to a healthier nation." These initiatives underscore the government's commitment to an inclusive healthcare model, deeply rooted in traditional practices yet progressive in embracing technological and medical advancements.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)