Revolutionizing Traditional Medicine: Ayush Ministry Codifies Data for Unified Healthcare Approach

In a significant move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed that the Ministry of Ayush, with support from the WHO, is in the process of codifying terminologies related to diseases and treatments in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha. This transformative initiative aims to standardize the way doctors document diseases and treatments, ensuring consistency for improved patient care.

Prime Minister Modi, in his 'Mann Ki Baat' address, passionately discussed the challenges patients face when transitioning between doctors in traditional medicine. He highlighted the personalized styles doctors follow when writing prescriptions, making it cumbersome for patients seeking follow-up care. The codification initiative, he said, will streamline the process, allowing doctors to adopt a uniform pattern in prescription writing.

"One advantage of this will be that if you go to another doctor with that slip, they will get complete information from just that slip - from the illness, treatment, medication prescribed, and duration of treatment to one's allergies," Modi emphasized. This move holds the promise of facilitating seamless transitions between practitioners, enhancing the patient experience.

The initiative extends beyond individual patient care. Prime Minister Modi envisions that standardizing medical terminology will benefit researchers globally. "Scientists from other countries will also get complete information about a disease, medicines and their effects. As the research expands and scientists come together, these medical systems will yield better results, and people's inclination towards them will rise," he expressed with optimism.

During the 2017 Ayurveda Day celebrations, the groundwork for codifying diseases and treatments under traditional systems of medicine began with the launch of the National Ayush Morbidity and Standardised Terminologies Electronic (NAMASTE) portal by PM Modi. The portal played a pivotal role in creating a systematic approach to traditional medicine documentation.

An official from the ministry highlighted that data and terminology related to Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani medicine have been included in the World Health Organization's ICD-11 classification. This inclusion is expected to open up opportunities for substantial scientific evidence generation in the Ayush sector and enhance its credibility globally.

Moreover, the ICD classification is anticipated to have positive implications for medical insurance coverage, the creation of insurance packages, insurance portability, and the growth of medical value travel for Ayush care.

Prime Minister Modi concluded his address by touching on the important topic of organ donation. He commended the increasing number of organ donors in India, emphasizing the lifesaving impact of such decisions. The discussion underscores the broader healthcare landscape's ongoing evolution, blending traditional practices with modern standardization for improved accessibility, research, and global recognition.

Source: timesofindia