Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav Calls for Stronger Ayush Services Across India

Yesterday, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, Prataprao Jadhav, stood before senior officials from more than thirty states and union territories at a NITI Aayog workshop in Hyderabad. The gathering, hosted at the serene Kanha Shanti Vanam campus, was meant to stir a conversation about how India can make its traditional health systems more accessible, reliable and people‑centred.

Jadhav’s remarks were anything but a scripted checklist. He spoke with a mix of conviction and humility, acknowledging that while the AYUSH ecosystem has grown impressively over the years, there’s still a long road ahead. “We need to think together – Centre, states, UTs – to weave a network that truly reaches the grassroots,” he said, pausing occasionally as if waiting for the room to absorb the weight of the task.

The minister didn’t just hand out lofty ideas; he pointed to concrete priorities. First, he urged a sharper focus on quality – from the medicines prescribed in a village clinic to the training that every practitioner receives. Second, he highlighted accessibility, reminding everyone that a robust AYUSH system should be as easy to reach as a local pharmacy. Finally, he stressed a people‑centric approach, insisting that policies must reflect the real‑world health needs of India’s diverse population.

Sharing the stage were Prof. M. Srinivas, a health member of NITI Aayog, and Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of AYUSH. Srinivas nudged the conversation toward technology, noting that evidence‑based, digital tools could bridge gaps that traditional methods alone cannot. Kotecha, on his part, reminded the audience that state and UT administrations are the linchpin for turning policy into practice – “the real change happens on the ground,” he emphasized.

The workshop itself turned into a lively forum. Delegates swapped stories about successful AYUSH programs, debated challenges in integrating traditional practices with modern health infrastructure, and brainstormed ways to boost research and capacity‑building. Many left with a list of ideas – from tele‑consultations in remote villages to joint training modules for allopathic and AYUSH practitioners.

In the end, the message was clear: a stronger, collaborative AYUSH ecosystem isn’t a distant dream; it’s a practical goal that can be achieved if the Centre, states and UTs move in lockstep. As Jadhav put it, “Let’s turn our shared vision into shared action, for the health of every Indian.”