Dr Mansukh Mandaviya Launches AYUSH-ICMR Advanced Centre for Integrated Health Research in AIIMS

Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya launched AYUSH-ICMR Advanced Centre for Integrated Health Research in AIIMS on March 04, 2024 at Bhim Hall, Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, 15, Janpath Road, Windsor Palace, New Delhi. The announcement, made in the presence of various dignitaries including Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, and President of GB, RAV, Dr. M. Srinivas, marks a milestone in the integration of traditional and modern healthcare practices.

Dr. Mandaviya disclosed several significant joint initiatives between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of AYUSH. These initiatives encompass a Multicentre clinical trial on Anaemia and the introduction of Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) for AYUSH healthcare facilities. Additionally, the Union Health Minister presided over the inauguration of the 27th convocation of Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth and the 29th National Seminar on ‘Ayurvedo Amritanam’. He expressed his delight at the introduction of these collaborative endeavors, emphasizing the significance of collaborative research in AYUSH. He also highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and modern scientific research, promoting a synergistic approach to healthcare.

Dr. Mandaviya underlined the enduring relevance of Ayurveda in Indian culture, tradition, and everyday practice, noting its integral role in holistic healthcare. He articulated that the strategic collaboration aims to advance Integrative Health Research, melding traditional AYUSH practices with modern medical science to propel India to the forefront of holistic healthcare innovations.

Dr. Mandaviya announced a community-based Multicentre clinical trial on Anaemia entitled 'Efficacy and safety of Punarnavadi Mandura alone and in combination with Drakshavaleha compared to iron-folic acid in the treatment of moderate iron deficiency anaemia among non-pregnant women of reproductive age group'. The study will be conducted at eight different sites, namely: MGIMS Wardha, AIIMS Jodhpur, NITM Bengaluru, RIMS Ranchi, KEM Hospital Research Centre, AIIMS New Delhi, AIIMS Bhopal, and AIIMS Bibinagar.

Indian Public Health Standards for Ayush Healthcare Facilities Launched

To enhance the quality of healthcare services within the Ayush sector, Dr. Mandaviya inaugurated the Indian Public Health Standards for Ayush healthcare facilities. This initiative is poised to elevate preventive, promotive, curative, palliative, and rehabilitative services within the public health domain, ensuring better access to quality healthcare for all.

Secretary Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, shed light on a pioneering research study conducted by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). This research study, focusing on addressing national priority areas like anaemia, underscores the importance of evidence-based research in driving policy recommendations and enhancing healthcare outcomes.

During his address at the announcement of Joint Mega initiatives, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, highlighted the inauguration of the Ayush-ICMR Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research (AI-ACIHR) at selected AIIMS institutions, focusing on crucial health domains.

Vision for Integrative Medicine

Dr. Nabendu Chatterjee, Head Scientist at ICMR, articulated the vision for the Ayush-ICMR Collaboration, emphasizing the importance of robust evidence-based research in integrative medicine. The collaboration aims to provide guidance and support for policy recommendations, leveraging the strengths of both traditional and modern healthcare practices to improve healthcare outcomes nationwide.

Objectives of AYUSH-ICMR Advanced Centre for Integrative Research:

• To harness the mutual understanding and research environment between the different systems of medicine leading to Integrative Health Research.

• To identify priority areas where the approach of integrative medicine may have potential and conduct integrative research in these priority areas to generate robust evidence.

• To develop Integrative management protocols with inputs from both traditional and modern medicine in the identified priority diseases based on the generated evidence.

• To carry out mechanistic studies to explain the integrative medicine approach.

• To develop guidelines and establish pathways to facilitate cross referrals utilizing the integrative medicine approach.

The following are the four AIIMS which will host these advanced centres:

1. AIIMS Delhi: 

• Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research in Gastro-intestinal Disorders

• Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research in Women and Child Health

2. AIIMS Jodhpur: Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research in Geriatric Health

3. AIIMS Nagpur:  Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research in Cancer Care

4. AIIMS Rishikesh:  Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research in Geriatric Health

With the establishment of the Ayush - ICMR Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research and the initiation of a multicenter clinical trial on anaemia, India is poised to lead the way in evidence-based research and healthcare innovation.

Speaking at the inauguration of various initiatives related to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Ministry of AYUSH https://t.co/k6MRPABQ3U
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) March 4, 2024