AYUSH Services Expansion in Military and Field Hospitals Proposed
UPSC / SSC current affairs note
Why in news
Union AYUSH Minister Prataprao Jadhav has written to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh proposing the establishment of AYUSH OPDs and treatment services in military and field hospitals. This initiative aims to integrate traditional medicine into the armed forces' healthcare system for preventive, promotive, and holistic care.
Background
Currently, only a few institutions under the Ministry of Defence have AYUSH facilities, while a large number of military and field hospitals lack such services. The proposal seeks to expand evidence-based traditional healthcare access for defence personnel.
Key facts
Union AYUSH Minister Prataprao Jadhav wrote to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh proposing AYUSH OPDs in military and field hospitals.
The proposal focuses on preventive, promotive, and holistic healthcare for defence personnel.
Currently, only a few defence institutions have AYUSH facilities; most military and field hospitals lack them.
AYUSH services would cover preventive care, lifestyle management, rehabilitation, and overall wellness.
The AYUSH Ministry is ready to provide technical assistance, professional guidance, and institutional support, including signing an MoU.
The initiative aims to integrate India's traditional medicine heritage with public health systems.
The proposal emphasizes evidence-based traditional healthcare for soldiers in challenging conditions.
Prelims pointers
- AYUSH: Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy
- Ministry of AYUSH (independent charge)
- Ministry of Defence
- Armed Forces Medical Services
- MoU (Memorandum of Understanding)
- OPD (Outpatient Department)
Mains angles
- GS2: Government policies and interventions for health sector; integration of traditional medicine with modern healthcare.
- GS3: Defence and security – welfare of armed forces personnel; healthcare infrastructure.
- GS2: Role of AYUSH in public health; cooperative federalism between ministries.