India proud to lead global movement to advance traditional medicine: Prataprao Jadhav

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, Dec 8 (IANS) India is proud to lead global movement to advance traditional medicine, said Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, on Monday, even as the country is set to co-host the second edition of the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine.

Speaking at a curtain raiser event in the national capital, Jadhav announced that the event will be held from December 17-19 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on the theme “Restoring balance for people and planet: The science and practice of well-being”.

“India is proud to co-host the second edition of the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine following the remarkable success of the first Summit hosted by India in 2023,” Jadhav said.

Jadhav added that the continued global trust in India’s Ayush systems is evident from the establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar.

“India’s rich heritage of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy has played a pivotal role in holistic healthcare for centuries and is increasingly recognised worldwide as an effective integrative health approach,” the Minister said.

He emphasised that traditional medicine is a vital pillar in achieving Universal Health Coverage, building resilient health systems, and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

He noted that the Global Summit is being organised in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) under the agreement signed in September 2025. It is also aligned with the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034 adopted at the 78th World Health Assembly.

The Summit, with an expected participation from over 100 countries, will deliberate on scientific validation and innovation in traditional medicine, strengthening digital health and global data systems, integrating traditional medicine into public health and wellness programmes, ensuring equitable access, promoting sustainable practices, conserving biodiversity, supporting responsible industry growth, addressing intellectual property issues, and exploring emerging applications such as artificial intelligence.

–IANS

rvt/

Related Posts

MP: Mobile medical units strengthen healthcare in Vidisha, take treatment to tribals’ homes

Vidisha, July 5 (IANS) Mobile medical units, a centrally sponsored initiative aimed at providing healthcare to tribal communities within their vicinity, are yielding impressive results in Madhya Pradesh, with even locals admiring the move.

Vidisha, located about 65 km from Bhopal, has witnessed a marked uplift in healthcare services as the tribal communities are receiving treatment for multiple ailments within their homes. Their remote location no longer remains a hindrance to healthcare access, and they no longer have to travel long distances.

The mobile medical units, equipped with all modern tools and medical equipment, are providing them treatment in their own habitats, and the tribals are also upbeat and overjoyed with this initiative.

In MP’s Vidisha alone, ten mobile medical units were started under the PM JANMAN Yojana for serving the Sahariya tribals, in particular. In the past year, these mobile units have been instrumental in equipping the tribals with essential medical care.

Equipped with all kinds of modern medical equipment, including X-rays, a stretcher, and an Oxygen cylinder, these vans travel to different locations inside the villages and address all medical needs of the tribal communities. It is also powered with a GPS system to help navigate the bylanes and streets of the tribal belt.

Paramedic staff Lucky Sharma told IANS that the mobile medical units conduct routine health check-ups of the tribal population and also extensively monitor throat and breast cancer cases. If any person is suspected of such diseases, they are referred to larger hospitals.

Many locals praised the initiative and thanked the government for the welfare scheme.

Many of them, speaking to IANS, spoke about various benefits of the scheme, launched under the PM JANMAN Scheme. They thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a host of public welfare schemes, including free ration, subsidised gas cylinders and more.

“We are getting medicines at our homes, and our children are also getting vaccinated,” said a local, while another one thanked the government for facilitating employment opportunities for their children.

Notably, Madhya Pradesh is home to many tribal communities, which include Sahariya, Bhariya and Baiga. Due to their secluded lifestyle and lack of awareness, these tribals have largely remained deprived of medical facilities, but with these mobile medical units, they have been brought into the mainstream.

–IANS

mr/dan

Indian medical devices sector estimated to grow to $30 billion by 2030: Anupriya Patel

New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) The Indian medical devices, a sunrise sector in the country with growth potential, is estimated to grow to $30 billion by 2030, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel said on Thursday.

Addressing the plenary session at the 21st Health Summit of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Patel noted that India is the fourth largest medical devices market in Asia after Japan, China, and South Korea. The country is also among the top 20 global medical device markets in the world.

“The medical device sector in India is recognised as a sunrise sector because of its immense growth potential driven by the country’s increasing healthcare needs, technological innovations, government support, and emerging market opportunities,” Patel said.

“The size of the Indian medical devices sector is estimated to be around $14 billion and it is expected to grow to $30 billion by 2030,” she noted.

The MoS added that the MedTech industry acts as the catalyst linking patients, payors, providers, and regulators to create a stronger and more equitable healthcare system. It also “holds the promise of revolutionising healthcare delivery and outcomes, both in India and globally”.

She also informed about the launch of the Scheme for Promotion of Medical Devices Parks with a Rs 400 crore outlay, providing Rs 100 crore each to Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh for infrastructure development.

Patel also highlighted the promise of AI innovation in healthcare to “create new methods for facilitating and tackling healthcare challenges and discovering new opportunities”.

Meanwhile, Patel also stated the government’s efforts in strengthening the medical device ecosystem, boosting domestic manufacturing, promoting research, enhancing skill development, and increasing India’s share in the global market.

–IANS

rvt/

Omar Abdullah-led govt allots Rs 124.83 crore to healthcare sector in J&K

Srinagar, Sep 12 (IANS) J&K Health Minister, Sakina Itoo, said on Friday that keeping up its commitment to improve the healthcare sector by providing hi-tech facilities, the Omar Abdullah-headed government has allotted Rs 124.83 crore for the upgradation of this sector.

Sakina Itoo posted on X: “As assured by the Hon’ble CM in the Budget Speech, we have allocated Rs 124.83 Cr for key upgrades in J&K’s health sector: CT Scan at GMC Jammu, MRI machines at GMC Baramulla, GMC Kathua & GMC Rajouri, Cath Lab at GMC Doda, PET Scan at GMC Srinagar, Strengthening Telemedicine across J&K (80 units). Committed to stronger, accessible healthcare.”

The Centre has recently increased 50 MBBS seats in J&K to ensure that trained healthcare facilities are available in the remotest corners of the UT.

During the last 10 years, the number of medical colleges in J&K has gone up from four to 11.

These 11 medical colleges include the prestigious Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) and AIIMS Jammu, along with several other government medical colleges like GMC Srinagar, GMC Jammu, and others in districts like Anantnag, Baramulla, Kathua, Rajouri, Doda, Handwara and Udhampur.

The number of MBBS seats in these medical colleges is now over 1400. The number of seats in nursing colleges of J&K is 1300 in the government sector and 2000 in the private sector.

Healthcare has become widely available even in the remotest areas of J&K, where primary health centres are located with trained medical officers.

Every district has a sub-district hospital and a district hospital with OPD and indoor patient care facilities.

The healthcare sector in Jammu and Kashmir is a three-tiered system of public and private facilities, supported by government initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and National Health Mission (NHM), focusing on improving infrastructure and access to care.

Significant progress has been made, notably in financing, infrastructure development, and the digitisation of health records, although challenges remain, including shortages of specialists, particularly in rural areas.

The sector is also embracing modern solutions like tele-mental health services through Telemanas and investing in oxygen generation and ambulance services to address immediate needs.

The sector heavily relies on government-backed initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat scheme (including PMJAY SEHAT) to extend health coverage and improve affordability, and the NHM for various healthcare services.

The government has focused on expanding infrastructure, including hospitals, public health centres, and specialised facilities like AIIMS Awantipora.

The bed capacity has also increased significantly to 21,966. Progress has been made in digitising the sector, including the creation of over 72 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.

Investments have been made to improve emergency response, including the deployment of a large fleet of ambulances and increased capacity for medical oxygen generation.

The establishment of ‘Telemanas’, a 24/7 tele-mental health facility, aims to provide accessible and affordable mental health services across J&K.

–IANS

sq/dan