NEW DELHI — In a major initiative to bolster the health and well-being of Indian armed forces personnel, Union Minister of State (IC) for Ayush, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, has written to Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, proposing the setup of dedicated Ayush Outpatient Departments (OPDs) and treatment services across all Military and Field Hospitals.
The proposal aims to integrate traditional Indian systems of medicine into the existing medical infrastructure of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), focusing on preventive, promotive, and holistic care for troops serving in demanding operational environments.
Key Highlights & Strategic Objectives
The proposed collaboration seeks to complement modern military medicine with evidence-based traditional healthcare systems:
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Expanding Access: While Ayush treatment facilities currently exist in select Ministry of Defence institutions, the initiative seeks to systematically extend dedicated Ayush OPDs to remaining Military and Field Hospitals across the country.
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Focus Areas: The integration emphasizes preventive healthcare, lifestyle management, stress reduction, physical rehabilitation, and overall soldier well-being alongside existing modern medical care.
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Institutional Support: The Ministry of Ayush has offered complete technical support, professional guidance, and institutional cooperation to the Ministry of Defence, including the execution of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
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Integrative Health Model: The proposal aligns with the central government’s policy of integrating traditional medicine into public healthcare systems, offering a unified, patient-centric wellness framework for military personnel.
