Hyderabad: HL September 09, 2026
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Ayush and Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, has called for stronger efforts by States and Union Territories to ensure that Ayush healthcare services are accessible, quality-driven and centred on the needs of people.
He was speaking at the national workshop on “Strengthening the Ayush Ecosystem in States and Union Territories”, organised by NITI Aayog at Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad. The workshop brought together senior officials from the Centre, representatives from more than 30 States and Union Territories, and experts from different organisations.
Prataprao Jadhav Stresses Centre-State Coordination for Ayush Growth
Addressing the inaugural session as Chief Guest, Shri Prataprao Jadhav underlined the importance of coordinated action between the Central Government, States and UTs to expand the reach and effectiveness of Ayush systems.
The Minister stressed that the evolving healthcare needs of the country’s population require a greater focus on quality, accessibility and people-centric delivery of Ayush services.
He called for States and UTs to work closely with the Centre to strengthen service delivery and ensure that the benefits of Ayush healthcare reach people at the grassroots level.
NITI Aayog Workshop Focuses on Strengthening Ayush Ecosystem
The national workshop served as a platform for States and Union Territories to exchange experiences, best practices and innovative approaches for strengthening the Ayush sector.
Discussions covered several important areas, including:
- Ayush healthcare delivery
- Ayush education and training
- Research and evidence-based approaches
- Capacity building
- Technology integration
- Integration of Ayush with the broader healthcare system
- Improving grassroots-level healthcare delivery
The participation of more than 30 States and UTs provided an opportunity to discuss challenges and identify practical approaches that can be adopted across different regions.
Technology and Evidence-Based Healthcare Highlighted
Prof. (Dr.) M. Srinivas, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, highlighted the importance of technology-integrated and evidence-based approaches in developing integrative healthcare systems.
He noted the potential of such approaches to contribute to improved health outcomes in India and potentially provide lessons for healthcare systems beyond the country.
The emphasis on technology and evidence is particularly relevant as healthcare systems increasingly explore ways to combine traditional knowledge systems with modern tools, research and service-delivery mechanisms.
States and UTs Have Key Role in Ayush Expansion
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, highlighted the critical role of States and Union Territories in strengthening the Ayush ecosystem.
He emphasised effective implementation and delivery of Ayush services at the grassroots level, making State and UT-level systems an important component of the broader national strategy.
The workshop therefore focused not only on policy discussions but also on translating Ayush initiatives into effective healthcare services for communities.
Towards Holistic and Integrated Healthcare
The deliberations at the workshop reaffirmed the importance of Centre-State collaboration in building a stronger and more accessible Ayush ecosystem.
The discussions also reflected the Government’s broader vision of promoting holistic and integrated healthcare, with greater attention to accessibility, quality and the needs of citizens.
With participation from policymakers, senior officials and experts, the workshop provided an important platform for sharing successful practices and exploring collaborative approaches for the future development of Ayush services across India.
