Why in the news?
An agreement signed between the Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to transform the global standing of traditional medicine systems. The agreement marks the beginning of work on a dedicated traditional medicine module under the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI).
What is Traditional Medicine?
It is the sum total of the knowledge, skills, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different cultures (WHO).
These skills maintain health as well as help in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement, or treatment of physical and mental illness.
Traditional Medicine Systems in India
Most of the medicinal plants and aromatic plants take shelter in indian forests. About 8,000 herbal remedies have been codified in AYUSH systems in INDIA.
(a) Ayurveda
(b) Yoga
(c) Unani
(d) Siddha
(e) Naturopathy
(f) Homoeopathy
Current Status
(a) The market for medicinal plants in India stood at Rs. 4.2 billion ($ 56.6 million) in 2019 and can increase at a CAGR of 38.5 per cent to Rs. 14 billion (US$ 188.6 million) by 2030.
(b) Overall, AYUSH exports have crossed the figure of $18 billion. AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy.
(c) About 40,000 MSMEs are active in the AYUSH sector.
Advantages of Traditional Medicine
(i) Cultural Wisdom: It is deeply intertwined with cultural practices, beliefs, and experiences, As a result, it makes it a valuable repository of diverse healthcare insights.
(ii) Holistic Approach: Unlike some modern medical systems, traditional medicine emphasises the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit.
(iii) Natural Remedies: Traditional medicine often relies on natural ingredients such as herbs, plants, and minerals. They are gentler on the body and may have fewer side effects compared to synthetic drugs.
(iv) Accessible and Affordable: It usually utilises locally available resources. As a result, making its access and affordability easier, especially in rural or underserved areas.
(v) Global Interest: It has gained recognition on the global stage, leading to research and scientific validation of its effectiveness.
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Challenges for Its Adoption in India
(i) Trust-Deficit: Mismatch in theories of Ayurveda and its results raises eyebrows. Many people do not prefer Ayurveda over any other type of medical system.
(ii) Lack of Scientific Validation: Ayurveda has failed to keep pace with the intellectual and scientific advances of the times. So, it has diminished evidence-based quality.
(iii) Sub-Standard Courses: Ayurvedic practitioners’ graduation courses are often substandard. Moreover, the post-graduate courses offered at most of their institutes are of extremely poor quality.
(iv) Lack of Practice: While MBBS graduates and postgraduates from public hospitals must mandatorily serve a specified bond period in rural areas, graduates and postgraduates from AYUSH public hospitals do not have any such restrictions.
(v) Lack of Investment: In spite of various institutional and personnel efforts in the research ecosystem, the inadequate investment in Ayurvedic research has been a major setback.
(vi) Less Integration with Modern Medicine: Around 65% of the primary care illnesses can be treated by Ayurveda safely. For the rest, Ayurveda needs integration with modern medicine.
Government’s Initiatives
(i) Ministry of AYUSH: Established in 2014 with a vision of reviving the profound knowledge of our ancient systems of medicine.
(ii) National AYUSH Mission (NAM): It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme being implemented through States and UTs for the promotion and development of AYUSH systems.
(iii) Global partnerships: India has signed MoUs with 23 countries for cooperation in the field of Traditional Medicine and Homoeopathy in areas such as research, education, training, and more.
(iv) 33 AYUSH Information Cells set up in 31 countries to disseminate authentic information about AYUSH systems.
Way Forward
(i) Enhance Scientific Research: The Government should invest in scientific research to validate the safety and efficacy of traditional medicine practices. Eventually, it will help build a stronger evidence base and increase confidence among both practitioners and the public.
(ii) Education and Training: Improve the quality of education and training for traditional medicine practitioners. It can be done by enhancing curriculum standards and offering advanced courses, etc.
(iii) Integration with Modern Medicine: Promote the integration of traditional medicine into the broader healthcare system to leverage the strengths of both systems.
(iv) Regulation and Licensing: There is a need to establish clear regulations and licensing requirements for traditional medicine practitioners to ensure quality services.
(v) Telemedicine and Digital Health: Utilisation of technology to expand the reach of traditional medicine.
(vi) International Collaboration: Collaborating with other countries and international organisations on research, education, and the promotion of traditional medicine.
Conclusion
The collaboration of modern medicine with traditional AYUSH practices possesses significant potential for transforming healthcare delivery. In the coming years, bridging the evidence chasm for AYUSH treatments, ensuring regulatory frameworks for collaboration, and fostering evidence-based practices can pave the way for a more integrated and streamlined healthcare system.