In his 'Mann Ki Baat' address on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), is undertaking the task of codifying terminology related to diseases and treatments in traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha. This initiative aims to bring uniformity in the way doctors document diseases and treatments, making it more accessible for patients and aiding research efforts.

Currently, doctors in traditional medicine often use varying styles to document diseases and treatments, making it challenging for patients seeking follow-up care from different practitioners. The codification effort seeks to establish a standardized pattern for writing prescriptions, ensuring that crucial information, including the illness, treatment details, prescribed medication, and treatment duration, is consistently recorded.

"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," stated PM Modi, highlighting the convenience for patients and the potential for better coordination among healthcare professionals.

The standardized coding system is expected to facilitate global collaboration and research in the field of traditional medicine. PM Modi emphasized that scientists from other countries will have access to comprehensive information about diseases, medicines, and their effects. This, he believes, will enhance the credibility of traditional medical systems globally.

The groundwork for this initiative was laid during the 2017 Ayurveda Day celebrations with the launch of the National Ayush Morbidity and Standardised Terminologies Electronic (NAMASTE) portal. The data and terminology related to diseases based on Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani have been incorporated into the WHO ICD-11 classification, enabling large-scale scientific evidence generation and enhancing the global credibility of Ayush practices.

Additionally, PM Modi touched upon the importance of organ donation, commending the increasing number of individuals in India who have chosen to donate their organs after death, a decision that saves multiple lives. The Prime Minister's announcements underscore the government's commitment to standardizing and advancing traditional medical practices while promoting critical healthcare initiatives.