Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today inaugurated and addressed the post Union Budget webinar on health. In his address Prime Minister elaborated on factors that underline the efforts of making the health sector holistic and inclusive. Prime Minister strongly emphasized on promotion of research in the traditional Indian medical systems of Ayush and their active engagement in the current healthcare system.
The Ministry of Ayush actively participated in a webinar organized by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare which included panel discussions with eminent experts from both the ministries, NITI Aayog, Startup and other academia on topic of strengthening telemedicine and IT enabled services for inclusive and equitable healthcare delivery.
Prime Minister noted the growing global acceptance of Ayush and exuded pride in the fact that WHO is going to start its only Global Center of Traditional Medicine in India. “Now it is up to all of us how to create better solutions of AYUSH for ourselves and for the world as well”, he added. He Said that during COVID-19 pandemic traditional medicines particularly herbal products were in huge demand and he urged all stakeholders to utilise this opportunity to explore potential in others countries.
Minister of Ayush Shri SarbanandaSonowal said that Ministry of Ayush has already taken various initiatives in the area of Ayushman Bharat, Digital Mission and National Tele Medicine. He said that the initiatives mentioned in Union Budget have been fast tracked and will be implemented according to a roadmap.
The Ayush minister further said that with growing popularity and dependency on the digital space, the central government has emphasized building the digi-infrastructure which Ministry of Ayush has well supported. ‘’The various provisions under the budget will see a major step towards digitizing the entire Ayush sector under Ayush-grid’’ he added.
During the webinar, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, said, “The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Ministry of Ayush are working in coordination. We are two different ministries but our goal is one that of providing holistic health services to every citizen. The vision of our Prime Minister of ‘One India, One Health’ will be achieved by coordination between both ministries.”
While appreciating contributions from all, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush said, “Ministry is already working toward digitalizing entire Ayush sector through Ayush Grid in alignment with ABDM. Further, there is need for a single window system for regulatory compliances particularly of small hospitals at tier 2, tier 3 and tier 4 cities within ABDM framework.”
The webinar was divided into three parallel sessions, which discussed various steps announced in the Union Budget to strengthen Healthcare system. Panelist gave insight on Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), National Tele-Medicine & E-Sanjeevani platform and Tele Mental Health Programme. All the participants and panelists endorsed the fact that Ayush system of medicine and services should be main streamed and should be integrated with all digital health ecosystems. During discussion, many stakeholders have cited the vital role of States/UTs and also emphasized on more involvement of private organizations.