Context: The ICMR under the Union Health Ministry and the Union Ministry of Ayush has agreed to enhance cooperation in health research in the field of integrated medicine.

Common features of integrated system of medicine

• Holistic Approach: An integrated system of medicine takes a holistic approach to healthcare, recognizing the interconnectedness of various aspects of health, including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
• Multiple Healthcare Modalities: It incorporates multiple healthcare modalities and disciplines, such as conventional medicine, traditional medicine systems (e.g., Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine), complementary and alternative medicine (e.g., acupuncture, herbal medicine), mind-body practices (e.g., yoga, meditation), and other evidence-based therapies.
• Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Care: It encourages collaboration and cooperation among healthcare providers from different disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach allows for a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s needs and the development of personalized treatment plans.
• Evidence-Based Practice: It emphasizes the use of evidence-based practices, ensuring that treatments and interventions are safe, effective, and supported by reliable data.
• Individualized Treatment:It recognizes that each person is unique and may require personalized treatment approaches. It considers individual circumstances, preferences, and goals when developing treatment plans, allowing for customized care.
• Emphasis on Prevention and Wellness: It aims to identify and address underlying factors that contribute to illness, focusing on strategies to prevent disease and promote optimal health.
• Patient-Centered Care
• Continuity of Care and Care Coordination

Efforts to promote complementary medicine in India

• The National Integrated Medical Association (NIMA) is an Indian NGO of general practitioners educated in integrated system of medicine.
• The National Ayush Mission (launched in 2014) has played a crucial role in preserving and promoting India’s traditional systems of medicine and their integration into the mainstream healthcare system.
• CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine is a premier institute located in Jammu and dedicated to the research of drug discovery.
• WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (Jamnagar, Gujarat) was set up to promote Traditional Medicines as a system of treatment for various ailments.
• Some universities in India offer BISM (Bachelor in Integrated System of Medicine)

Significance of the move:

• It will enhance the treatments that can be offered under one roof.
• It will help build harmonized protocols for clinical care research, and this is especially important for non-communicable diseases, where medical treatment options are limited.
• It will take Ayurveda and yoga to the world.

Read more : National Quantum Mission