Hyderabad, September 9: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush, and Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav has called for coordinated efforts by States and Union Territories to make Ayush healthcare services more accessible, people-centric and quality-focused across the country.
Jadhav was speaking at the national workshop on ‘Strengthening the Ayush Ecosystem in States and Union Territories’, organised by NITI Aayog at Kanha Shanti Vanam in Hyderabad.
The workshop brought together senior officials from the Central Government, representatives from more than 30 States and Union Territories, and experts from various organisations to discuss ways to strengthen the Ayush ecosystem through collaboration, exchange of experiences and adoption of effective practices.
Focus on Quality and Accessibility
Addressing the inaugural session as Chief Guest, Jadhav stressed the need for stronger coordination between the Centre, States and UTs to expand the reach and effectiveness of Ayush systems.
He called for greater attention to quality, accessibility and people-centric delivery, saying these areas would be important in responding to the changing healthcare needs of the population.
The Minister’s remarks placed emphasis on ensuring that Ayush services are effectively delivered at the grassroots level and remain accessible to people across different regions.
NITI Aayog Highlights Technology and Evidence-Based Healthcare
Prof. (Dr.) M. Srinivas, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, highlighted the potential of technology-integrated and evidence-based approaches in advancing integrative healthcare.
He noted that the appropriate integration of technology and evidence-based practices could contribute to improving health outcomes in India as well as globally.
The emphasis on technology also reflects the changing healthcare landscape, where digital tools and data-driven approaches are increasingly being explored to improve the delivery and effectiveness of health services.
States and UTs Key to Grassroots Implementation
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, highlighted the important role of States and Union Territories in developing a stronger Ayush ecosystem.
He emphasised that effective implementation at the grassroots level is essential for ensuring that Ayush services reach intended beneficiaries.
With States and UTs playing a central role in healthcare delivery, their experiences and implementation practices can also help identify workable approaches that may be adapted in other regions.
Workshop Covers Multiple Areas of Ayush Ecosystem
The national workshop provided a platform for States and UTs to exchange experiences and discuss innovative approaches across several areas.
The deliberations covered Ayush healthcare delivery, education, research, capacity building and integration with the broader healthcare system.
The sharing of best practices was aimed at encouraging greater collaboration between different levels of government and helping identify approaches that can strengthen the delivery of Ayush services.
The participation of officials and experts from across the country also provided an opportunity to discuss challenges and potential solutions from different regional perspectives.
Centre-State Cooperation at the Core
A major theme emerging from the workshop was the importance of Centre-State collaboration in strengthening the Ayush ecosystem.
The discussions underlined that coordinated action between the Central Government and States and UTs is necessary to improve accessibility, quality and people-centric delivery.
The workshop also reinforced the broader objective of promoting a more holistic and integrated approach to healthcare, while strengthening the systems through which Ayush services are delivered.
With participation from more than 30 States and Union Territories, the national-level consultation provided a common platform for sharing experiences and exploring collaborative approaches.
The Centre and States are expected to continue working together to strengthen Ayush healthcare, education, research and capacity-building initiatives as part of the broader effort towards accessible and integrated healthcare for all.
