Prataprao Jadhav proposes AYUSH OPDs at Military, Field Hospitals

New Delhi: In a move to strengthen traditional healthcare services for defence personnel, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH Prataprao Jadhav has proposed setting up AYUSH Outpatient Departments (OPDs) and introducing AYUSH-based treatment services at Military and Field Hospitals.

In a letter to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Jadhav highlighted the crucial role played by the Armed Forces Medical Services in providing healthcare to soldiers deployed across diverse and challenging operational environments.

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“While the Armed Forces have a robust modern medical infrastructure, the integration of India’s traditional systems of medicine can further strengthen preventive, promotive and holistic healthcare for defence personnel,” the Minister said, adding that although Ayush treatment facilities are currently available in a limited number of institutions under the Ministry of Defence, a large number of Military and Field Hospitals do not yet have dedicated Ayush services.

He suggested that expanding Ayush facilities across these hospitals would give defence personnel wider access to evidence-based traditional healthcare, particularly for preventive care, lifestyle management, rehabilitation, and improving overall well-being.

Shri Jadhav emphasized that the inclusion of Ayush services would complement the existing healthcare framework and contribute to a more comprehensive and patient-centric model of care for Armed Forces personnel. He also noted that such an initiative would further promote the integration of India's rich traditional medical heritage with the country's public healthcare delivery systems, the PIB stated.

Jadhav also assured that the Ministry of AYUSH is prepared to provide technical support, professional guidance and institutional cooperation for implementing the initiative.

The Ministry of AYUSH has also offered to facilitate collaboration between the two ministries, including through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to ensure smooth execution of the proposal.

The proposed collaboration reflects the Government's continued commitment to promoting an integrative healthcare approach and ensuring that the benefits of India's traditional systems of medicine are made available to a wider section of society, including the nation's Armed Forces personnel.

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