Centre Pushes Ayush Tourism, Strengthens Research and Healthcare Infrastructure
New Delhi, Aug. 7 (TNT): The Centre has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to promote Ayush-based tourism, strengthen research in traditional medicine and enhance global recognition of Ayurveda and other Indian systems of medicine, the Lok Sabha was informed on Friday.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav, in a written reply, said the Ministry of Tourism, in consultation with the Ministry of Ayush and other departments, has prepared a National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism to promote India as a global destination for Ayush-based healthcare.
He said the government introduced a separate Ayush Visa on July 27, 2023, to facilitate international visitors seeking treatment under Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine.
To promote Medical Value Travel (MVT), the Ministry of Ayush has signed an MoU with the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) and has so far organised two regional Medical Value Travel Summits in Mumbai (2024) and Chennai (2025).
The Minister said several research institutions under the Ministry’s research councils are undertaking studies in Kerala, including the National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health (Kottayam), National Ayurveda Research Institute for Panchakarma (Cheruthuruthy), Regional Ayurveda Research Institute (Thiruvananthapuram), the Clinical Research Unit of the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (Edathala) and the Siddha Regional Research Institute (Thiruvananthapuram).
These institutes are engaged in research covering medicinal plants, ethnobotanical surveys, clinical studies, drug standardisation, public health and validation of traditional formulations.
Under the National Ayush Mission (NAM), the Centre is providing financial assistance to Kerala for strengthening Ayush healthcare infrastructure through support for medicines, human resources, construction, renovation, upgradation of hospitals and procurement of equipment.
The Minister said the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) is extending financial support for research on medicinal plants under the Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants scheme, while two Centres of Excellence have been approved in Kerala under the Ayurswasthya Yojana.
Highlighting measures to promote evidence-based Ayurveda and exports of Ayush products, Jadhav said the government has strengthened regulatory oversight through the Ayush Vertical in the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), facilitated issuance of WHO Certificates of Pharmaceutical Product (WHO-CoPP) for eligible Ayush drugs and introduced the Ayush Quality Mark Programme in 2025.
He said 77 Ayush healthcare organisations in Kerala have been accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH).
The Minister also said Ayurveda and Yoga have been included under ISO/TC249 for the development of international standards relating to terminology, quality, safety and products.
He added that the Kerala Government has constituted a 14-member Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani (ASU) Standardisation Committee to address issues faced by the ASU drug manufacturing sector and improve quality standards and regulatory compliance.
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