India's journey in mainstreaming Ayush in primary health care-from tradition to integration

Abstract

Introduction: India has systematically integrated Indian traditional medicine systems Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-rigpa including Homeopathy -collectively known as 'Ayush' into its public healthcare delivery. Since upgrading the Department of Ayush to a dedicated Ministry of Ayush in the year 2014, several landmark initiatives have been launched, including the National Ayush Mission (NAM), the establishment of Ayush Health and Wellness Centres under Ayushman Bharat, and the creation of the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs network. These efforts reflect a strategic commitment to enhance primary health care (PHC) by promoting culturally relevant, preventive, and affordable services.

Methods: This practice and policy review employed a systematic approach to analyze the integration of Ayush into India's PHC system. Primary and secondary source of data was drawn from national health policies, government reports, international frameworks, and official statistics between 2014 and 2024. Data was analyzed in detail to assess implementation status, infrastructure, global positioning, education, digital integration, and policy challenges.

Observations: India's traditional medicine sector includes 12,500 Ayushman Arogya Mandir led by qualified doctors of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Sowarigpa and homeopathy doctors, 750,000 registered institutionally qualified practitioners, more than 700 Ayush medical colleges and attached hospitals, around 9,000 Ayush drug manufacturing industries, dedicated research councils for ewach of the Ayush system with their peripheral centers, a Pharmacopoeia Commission of Indian systems of Medicine and Homeopathy etc. Moreover, Ayush systems are integrated in 26,636 Primary Health Centres (PHCs), 6,155 Community Health Centres (CHCs), and 759 Districts Hospitals (DH) in the country. Ayush systems are also integrated in health infrastructure under Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Labour Welfare, Ministry of Railways etc. Public health programs targeting maternal health, geriatric care, and non-communicable diseases have incorporated Ayush-based approaches. Internationally, India has established academic collaborations and information cells across 42 countries and academic chairs across 38 countries, while domestic initiatives focus on digital health (Ayush Grid), education reform (NEP 2020), quality assurance, and cross-referral pathways.

Inference: India's integrative approach demonstrates how traditional medicine can enhance PHC delivery, particularly in underserved settings. With continued investment in evidence-based practices, regulatory alignment, and inclusive models, Ayush can play a pivotal role in achieving Universal Health Coverage and informing global traditional medicine strategies.

Keywords: Ayush systems; National Ayush Mission; evidence-based Ayurveda; health policy and systems integration; integrative healthcare; primary health care (PHC); traditional medicine; universal health coverage (UHC).

Figure 1

Infographic illustrating the overall structure and flow of this review, outlining the key sections and concepts discussed throughout the manuscript.

Figure 2

Overview of the AYUSH healthcare landscape in India. The infographic summarizes key statistics including the number of hospitals, beds, registered practitioners, pharmaceutical manufacturers, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Ayush Grams, and AYUSH colleges with their intake capacity. Bar graphs depict the AYUSH healthcare network (Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, and District Hospitals) and beneficiaries served through major outreach programs (Swasthya Rakshan, THCRP, SCSP Mobile, WCH-SCSP, and NE Plan). A pie chart illustrates the distribution of AYUSH research studies across drug development, preclinical, clinical, and fundamental categories.

Figure 3

Flowchart illustrating key components essential for integrating Traditional Medicine into primary healthcare, including policy support, infrastructure, education, pharmaceutical standardization, digital systems, and pharmacovigilance mechanisms (Generated with the assistance of Napkin AI).