India's President Endorses Yoga for Public Health
India's President Droupadi Murmu stated that ancient Indian systems of Ayurveda and yoga are "pathways to a healthy future", emphasizing their potential to prevent disease and promote holistic well-being. The address comes amid ongoing efforts to integrate traditional wellness practices into mainstream healthcare and public policy.
The push to integrate traditional medicine into public healthcare is formalized through the Ministry of AYUSH, an entire government ministry dedicated to Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy. This ministry was established in 2014 to elevate the status and expand the reach of these ancient systems. A key government initiative is the National Ayush Mission (NAM), a centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2014 to promote AYUSH medical systems across the country. The mission focuses on improving educational institutions, quality control of drugs, and expanding cost-effective AYUSH healthcare services, especially in underserved areas. For the 2026-27 fiscal year, the NAM budget saw a 66.5% increase to Rs 1,300 crore. Under the Ayushman Bharat program, the government is establishing thousands of Ayush Health and Wellness Centres (AHWCs). More than 12,500 such centers have been established to provide care focused on prevention and wellness, including yoga sessions and consultations for non-communicable diseases. This domestic policy has a global dimension, highlighted by a US$250 million investment from the Indian government to help establish the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The center aims to harness traditional medicine's potential worldwide by focusing on evidence, data, sustainability, and innovation. The government's commitment is reflected in steady budget increases for the Ministry of Ayush, which received an allocation of approximately Rs 4,408 crore for the 2026-27 fiscal year. This funding supports the establishment of new institutions, such as three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda, and the upgrading of drug testing laboratories. These efforts build on decades of policy, including the National Policy on Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy from 2002, which aimed to better utilize the country's vast traditional medical infrastructure. The policy acknowledged that these systems are often the only healthcare available in many areas and are deeply embedded in public belief.
