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| Year : 2023 | Volume
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| Issue : 5 | Page : 0 |
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Reviving, Strengthening and Popularizing Ayush Systems of Medicine: Excerpts from Mann Ki Baat
3
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| Date of Web Publication | 28-Apr-2023 |
Correspondence Address:
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
How to cite this article:
3. Reviving, Strengthening and Popularizing Ayush Systems of Medicine: Excerpts from Mann Ki Baat. J Res Ayurvedic Sci 2023;7, Suppl S1:0 |
How to cite this URL:
3. Reviving, Strengthening and Popularizing Ayush Systems of Medicine: Excerpts from Mann Ki Baat. J Res Ayurvedic Sci [serial online] 2023 [cited 2023 Jun 8];7, Suppl S1:0. Available from: http://www.jrasccras.com/text.asp?2023/7/5/0/374609 |
| Background | |  |
Various health declarations, from Alma-Ata’s ‘Health for All’ towards achieving ‘Universal Health Coverage’ (UHC) & ‘Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030, have urged governments, organizations, and the whole world community to strive for the attainment of quality health among all strata of population. [1],[2],[3] The determinant of the population’s health is the quality of healthcare services rendered by the health systems, which are equitable, accessible, and affordable.
Traditional medicine (TM) is an important and often underrated healthcare system. It contributes to the Health and Wellness of the population through its preventive, promotive and therapeutic impact and as per WHO Report 2019, 88% of Member States have acknowledged their use of T&CM. [4] In order to obtain UHC and make the health systems more sustainable and resilient, particularly after the visibility of their fragile nature during and after pandemic times, TM can be a powerful tool. The local populations frequently perceive TM as a more readily available, economical, and acceptable healthcare system with an option that balances curative services with preventive and promotive care.
India has adopted a pluralistic healthcare management system, a key policy principle of National Health Policy 2017 of India.[5] It suggests that patients who so choose and, when appropriate, would have access to Ayush care providers based on documented and validated local, home and community-based practices. The policy envisages as its goal, the attainment of the highest possible level of health and well-being for all at all ages through preventive and promotive health care. It proposes the organization of stand-alone to a three-dimensional mainstreaming of Ayush services at the level of Public Health Care (Primary, Secondary & Tertiary healthcare). It highlights promoting healthy living and prevention strategies from Ayush systems and Yoga in the community. In addition, it recognizes the need for building research and public health skills for preventive and promotive healthcare. It recommends co-location and integration of Indian Traditional systems of medicine to achieve the aim of Universal Health Coverage through accessible, affordable healthcare services.
Towards SDG-3 and UHC 2030, commitment and actions are required from the Governments and the respective countries’ leaders. Through Mann Ki Baat Program,[6] Hon’ble PM has been addressing and interacting with the Indian citizens on themes, issues, and ideas of national importance. Throughout his talks, the Hon’ble Prime Minister has helped popularize the holistic healthcare services provided through the Ayush system of medicine in India. Further, in his talks, Hon’ble PM has continuously pursued the need for research and evidence for Ayush systems, their significant contribution during Covid times, popularity, benefits and growth of Ayurveda and Yoga, Medicinal and herbal plants, Ayush start-ups and the Ayush Industry. This communication highlights the important excerpts from his talks related to reviving, strengthening, and popularizing the Ayush system of medicine.
| Ayush and Evidence-based medicine | | |
Lack of evidence-based research in the context of scriptures like Yoga and Ayurveda has always been a challenge which has been a part of Indian life for centuries- results are visible, but the evidence is not. However, in the era of Evidence-based medicine, Yoga and Ayurveda are now standing up to the touchstone of tests of the modern era.
Tata Memorial Center in Mumbai has earned its name in Research, Innovation and Cancer care. Intensive research done by this center has revealed that Yoga is very effective in improving the quality of life in breast cancer patients. The research findings presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology conference in Paris suggest that regular practice of Yoga has reduced the risk of recurrence and death of breast cancer patients by 15 percent. This is the first example of Indian traditional medicine being tested vis a vis the stringent standards of Western methods.
In 2016, the Center for Integrative Medicine and Research was established with the latest Modern Techniques and Research Methods in Delhi’s AIIMS to validate traditional medical practices. The center has published 20 papers in reputed international journals. A paper published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology describes the benefits of Yoga for patients suffering from syncope, and a Paper in Neurology Journal elucidates the positive effects of Yoga on migraines. Apart from these, studies are being done regarding the benefits of Yoga in Heart Disease, Diabetes, Depression, Sleep Disorders, and problems faced by women during pregnancy.
| The significant role of Ayush during Covid-19 | | |
The increasing interest of people in Holistic Healthcare has helped everyone during Covid-19. In the fight against Covid-19, Ayush has played an essential role at the national and global levels. People worldwide are paying particular attention to the importance of India’s Ayurveda and Yoga in boosting immunity. The Hon’ble PM had urged the citizens to follow the Corona-related protocol to boost immunity suggested by the Ayush. Further, during these pandemic times, it is observed that research on the effectiveness of Ayush medicines and medicinal plants and studied and published.
During the Corona pandemic, it is observed that, while staying at home, people practice ‘Yoga’ to strengthen the respiratory system through time-tested techniques, like ‘Kapalbhati’ ‘Anulom-Vilom Pranayam’, ‘Bhastrika’, ‘Sheetali’, ‘Bhramari’ etc.
[TAG:2]Popularity of Ayurveda & Yoga[/TAG:2]
In the last seven years, much attention has been paid to promoting Ayurveda in the country. The formation of the Ministry of Ayush has further strengthened the Government’s resolve to popularise the Ayush system of medicines. India is working closely with the World Health Organization to popularize Yoga and Ayush. The Global Centre for Traditional Medicine was set up in India in April 2022. World Ayurveda Congress held at Goa in December 2022, wherein delegates from more than 40 countries participated and more than 550 Scientific Papers were presented. Around 215 companies worldwide, including India displayed their products at the expo, where more than one lakh people actively participated.
| Growth of the Ayush Industry | | |
There is a growing interest in Ayurveda and Indian medicine worldwide, reflected through increased Ayush Exports. The market of the Ayush Industry is increasing continuously, between 2016 to 2022; Ayush Manufacturing Industry has shown exponential growth from 22 thousand crores to around one lakh forty thousand crore rupees. Further, investment proposals of about ten thousand crore rupees were received during the Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit held in Gujarat in April 2022.
| Start-ups culture in Ayush | | |
In the last few years, many new start-ups have emerged in the field of Ayurveda. There is a start-up called Kapiva; Ka means – Kapha, Pi means – Pitta, and Va mean – Vata. This Start-Up is based on healthy eating habits in accordance with our traditions. Nirog-Street is another unique start-up concept in the Ayurveda Healthcare Ecosystem. Its technology-driven platform connects Ayurveda Doctors worldwide directly to the people. More than 50 thousand practitioners are associated with it.
Similarly, Atreya Innovations, a healthcare technology start-up, is working in the field of Holistic Wellness. Ixoreal has spread awareness about using Ashwagandha and has invested an enormous amount in top-quality production. Cureveda has created dietary supplements for holistic life through the confluence of modern herbal research and traditional knowledge. To promote start-ups in the field of medicinal plants, an incubator by the name of Medi-Hub TBI is operational in Anand, Gujarat. In a short time, this incubator associated with medicinal and aromatic plants has supported the business idea of 15 entrepreneurs. It is hoped that Ayush Start-Ups from India with better quality products will reign worldwide in the near future.
| Preservation, Promotion and Cultivation of Medicinal and Herbal plants | | |
“Nasti Moolam Anoushadham”
That is, there is no such plant on earth which does not have any medicinal properties. Many trees and plants around us have unique properties, but we often do not know about them. Mr Ramlotan Kushwaha ji, from Satna of Madhya Pradesh, has built a museum of indigenous plants on his farm. In this museum, he has collected hundreds of medicinal plants and seeds which he has brought them from far-flung regions. Apart from this, he also grows many types of Indian vegetables every year.
The women of Deori village near Ranchi had undergone training in Aloe vera cultivation from Birsa Agricultural School under the leadership of Manju Kachhap ji. After this, they started cultivating Aloe vera. Not only did this farming benefit the health field, but the income of these women also increased. They had good income even during the Covid pandemic. One of the primary reasons for this was that the companies making sanitizers were buying Aloe vera directly from them.
The Ministry of Ayush has taken an exciting initiative to increase awareness about Medicinal and Herbal Plants among children, and Professor Ayushman Ji, a comic book, has taken the lead. In this, short stories have been prepared through different cartoon characters. The usefulness of healthy medicinal plants like Aloe vera, Tulsi, Amla, Giloy, Neem, Ashwagandha and Brahmi has also been mentioned.
| IYM: Indian traditional food for global good | | |
United Nations has passed a resolution declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets. The International Year of Millet (IYM) proposal was from India and has been accepted by more than 70 countries. Today, around the world, the craze for these very coarse grains, millets, is rising, which have been a part of our Agriculture, Culture and Civilization since ancient times. Millets are mentioned in our Vedas, and India is the largest producer of millet in the world. Like our culture, much regional diversity is found in millets, i.e., Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Sawan, Kangni, Cheena, Kodo, Kutki, and Kuttu; all are types of millets.
The young generation is much more focused on healthy living and eating. Millets are called super food and contain plenty of protein, fiber, and minerals. Millets are helpful in many NCDs like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, etc. Due to their nutritional content, millets are beneficial in fighting malnutrition. Considering their nutritional benefits, we all must make it a mass movement and increase millet awareness among the country’s people.
Yoga and IDY- ‘Yoga’ for community, immunity, and unity.
21st June has been mandated and is celebrated as International Yoga Day worldwide. 21st June remains part of the entire world’s collective consciousness. In a short time, 21st June has got worldwide recognition as World Yoga Day and is connecting people. India has successfully connected the whole world through Yoga, connecting body, mind, heart, and soul.
We all know that healthy and sensitive denizens are required to build a healthy society, and Yoga ensures this very principle. As ‘Yoga’ is getting integrated into people’s lives, awareness about their health is also continuously rising among them. Yoga has attained worldwide recognition as a measure of preventive health care. Because of the modern stressful lifestyle, Yoga plays a vital role in helping people lead a stress-free life. It is a suitable means for mental well-being as it helps relieve tension and stress and leads one towards a happy state of mind.
The 8th ‘International Yoga Day’ (2022) theme is – "Yoga for Humanity". Further, considering our country’s ‘Amrit Mahotsav’, ‘International Yoga Day’ is organized at 75 major places. It is also being celebrated with a unique programme such as Guardian Ring. In this, the movement of the Sun will be celebrated; as the Sun travels, we will welcome it through Yoga from different parts of the earth. Indian missions in different countries will organize yoga programs at sunrise according to the local time there. The program will successively commence, following one country after another. The journey from east to west will continue continuously; on these lines, it will proceed accordingly.
| Conclusion | | |
Globally, in this era of rising prevalence of non-communicable disease, chronic disease and ageing, patients and healthcare professionals are calling for the revitalization of the healthcare system with a greater focus on person-centered, individualized care. Further, during Covid and Post-Covid times, it is observed that Traditional Systems of Medicine have played a vital role in their mitigation and treatment. These efforts of the Government of India to revive, strengthen and popularize the Ayush system of medicines will help to improve equitable access to safe, quality, and effective TM services which can meet communities’ needs in building sustainable and resilient healthcare systems.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | | |
| 1. | World Health Organization. Declaration of Alma-Ata. International conference on primary health care. Alma-Alta (USSR (Russia)): World Health Organization; 1978.  |
| 2. | https://documents-dds ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N00/559/51/PDF/N0055951.pdf?OpenElement. Accessed on 18/04/2023. |
| 3. | Sustainable Development Goals Officially Adopted by 193 Countries. http://www.un.org.cn/info/6/620.html. Accessed on 18/04/2023. |
| 4. | World Health Organization. (2019). WHO global report on traditional and complementary medicine 2019. World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/312342. |
| 5. | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. National Health Policy 2017. |
| 6. | Website: https://www.pmindia.gov.in/hi/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4/. Accessed on 18/04/2023. |
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