Research & Development Under AYUSH

 

Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy (ISM&H) was created in March 1995 and re-named as the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) in November 2003. It aims to focus on developing Education and research in Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy systems. 

 

The Ministry emphasizes upgrading available educational resources. Quality control, standardization of drugs, improving the availability of medicinal plant material, research and development, and awareness generation about the efficacy of the systems domestically and internationally are some of the agendas put forth by the Ministry. The importance of Research and Development grew with the advent of COVID-19. It saw the propagation of several initiatives launched by The Ministry of AYUSH. 

 

Introduction to AYUSH Systems of Medicine

 

 

Ayush is an acronym for Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. This system is being practiced all over India with diverse preferences of people and infrastructural facilities. AYUSH is of great lineage. It’s the culmination of Indian thoughts of medicine that represents a way of healthy living valued with a long and unique cultural history and epitomizes Vedic guidance.

 

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R&D  initiatives during COVID-19

 

Under the guidance of an interdisciplinary R&D task force for COVID-19, the ministry successfully conducted and executed 139 studies focusing on quality reassurance, pre-clinical safety and efficacy, and clinical interventions. Based on 150 research studies, Ayurveda and Siddha Medicine were successfully repurposed for COVID-19 management, providing their service to the public across the country. In a study, 89.8% of respondents agreed to benefit from the AYUSH advisory from 1.33 crores of recorded data. The National Clinical Management program for COVID-19 management included AYUSH treatments. About 700,000 AYUSH doctors and hospitals offer services for management at present. Advance research has been initiated under the AYUSH system to deal with future pandemics.

 

Advanced R&D through AYUSH-based fundamentals

 

 

Ayurveda Prakriti synthesized a genome sequence led by the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) CSIR, Ministry of Ayush's Centre of Excellence. It is a groundbreaking study towards personalized preventive and predictive medicine. They are also getting promising results on gut microbiota, working on advanced Biology of Metabolomics and proteomics to mold the healthcare industry's future.

 

Establishment of new educational institutes

 

AYUSH educational institutes are not necessary just to impart education and training to the students but also provide healthcare services through their hospitals, are involved in health awareness generation, and carry out research and development activities. Focusing on this, The Ministry of AYUSH has done setup for various AYUSH organizations and established Satellite centers of AIIA(All India Institute of Ayurveda) in Goa, the National Institute of Homeopathy, Narela New Delhi, and the National Institute of Unani Medicine, Ghaziabad, UP to enhance capacity building.

 

Organizations set up under The Ministry of AYUSH.

 

05 research councils, 02 statutory bodies, 12 national institutes, 01 subordinate office, and 01 public sector are under the Ministry of Ayush’s administrative control. Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), is a subordinate office under Ministry of Ayush. This organization is working for the development of Pharmacopoeias and Formularies as well as acting as Central Drug Testing cum Appellate Laboratory for Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy. Indian Medicines Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited (IMPCL) is a Central Public Sector undertaking under the Ministry of Ayush. 

 

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List of organizations under the Ministry of AYUSH

 

 

Below are the five Research Councils autonomous organizations with a mandate of research in their respective fields of Ayush systems of medicine.

 

Below are the 02 Statutory Bodies that work as regulatory commissions in Ayush education to provide medical education that improves access to quality and affordable medical education.

 

The 12 National Institutes below are state-of-the-art central-level organizations imparting undergraduate and Postgraduate levels of education in Ayush systems of medicine.

 

 

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Regulatory Commissions

 

 

Autonomous Boards were established on June 11, 2021, by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM). July 5, 2021, saw the establishment of The National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH) and its Autonomous Boards. Some crucial steps initiated for research and development under AYUSH to strengthen and promote AYUSH.

 

Both are statutory organizations established under the NCISM & NCH Act of 2020. The purpose of these Acts was to:

 

1. Ensure a medical education system that improves access to quality and affordable courses. Guarantee the availability of adequate and high-quality medical professionals of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy throughout the nation.

 

2. Help promote equitable and universal healthcare that encourages community health perspectives. Make medical professionals accessible and affordable to all citizens.

 

Steps initiated for R&D in AYUSH

 

The Government has launched and implemented several projects to promote AYUSH systems. 

 

1. Centrally Sponsored Schemes of the National AYUSH Mission. NHM and National Health Policy (2017) saw the implementation of strategies to mainstream AYUSH. The primordial goal is promoting and strengthening the AYUSH system of treatments.

 

2. Various AYUSH-related activities receive financial support through Centrally Sponsored and Central Sector Schemes.

 

3. The network of AYUSH institutions in the states is growing with the establishment of Central Regulatory Bodies, Research Councils, National Institutes, All India Institutes, The National Medicinal Plants Board, Pharmacopoeia Commission of Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy, and Pharmacopoeia Laboratories of AYUSH.

 

4. The National AYUSH Mission established AYUSH facilities in PHC (Primary Health Centre), CHC(Community Health Centre), and District hospitals as part of the mainstreaming approach for AYUSH. There are 5716 additional healthcare centers, 374 sub-district hospitals, 2871 CHCs, 8995 PHCs, and 506 district hospitals.

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of R&D, leading to numerous studies and the successful incorporation of AYUSH treatments in pandemic management. Through a network of research councils, statutory bodies, national institutes, and healthcare centers, the Ministry of AYUSH promotes equitable and accessible healthcare, ensuring the growth and mainstreaming of these traditional systems. 

 

For more information visit the official website.

 

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