Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, inaugurated the AYUSH-ICMR Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research at AIIMS, marking a significant collaborative effort between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of AYUSH.

The launch event also witnessed the announcement of other joint initiatives, including a Multicentre clinical trial on Anaemia and the introduction of Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) for AYUSH healthcare facilities.

Dr. Mandaviya expressed enthusiasm about collaborative research in AYUSH, highlighting its importance in bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and modern scientific research. He emphasized the need for an integrated healthcare regime, combining Ayurveda with contemporary medical science to lead India towards holistic healthcare innovations.

The Integrative Health Research initiative aims to promote Integrative Medicine, recognizing the benefits of combining conventional and complementary/alternative medicine therapies. The collaboration between M/o AYUSH and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) seeks to conduct high-quality clinical trials on identified areas of national importance, generating evidence for wider acceptance.

The objectives of the AYUSH-ICMR Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research include harnessing mutual understanding between different medical systems, identifying priority areas for integrative medicine research, developing integrative management protocols, conducting mechanistic studies, and establishing guidelines for cross-referrals.

Four AIIMS locations—Delhi, Jodhpur, Nagpur, and Rishikesh—will host these advanced centers, focusing on Gastro-intestinal Disorders, Women and Child Health, Geriatric Health, and Cancer Care.

Additionally, a multicentre clinical trial on Anaemia was announced, addressing the efficacy and safety of Punarnavadi Mandura and Drakshavaleha compared to iron folic acid in treating moderate iron deficiency anaemia among non-pregnant women.

The introduction of Indian Public Health Standards for AYUSH healthcare facilities aims to set uniform standards and quality infrastructure, enhancing the quality of AYUSH healthcare services provided across states and union territories.

The event also featured the 27th Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth Convocation and the Ayurvedo Amritanam seminar, highlighting the remarkable achievements and contributions in the field of Ayurveda.