Dehradun, Dec 12: The future of Ayurveda is taking a digital turn, as Ayush Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha announced significant strides towards integrating digital health solutions into the traditional system at the 10th World Ayurveda Congress. This initiative aligns with India’s 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, aiming to enhance equity in health and wealth through digitalisation.
Commitment to Digital Health
Chairing the inaugural session entitled “Future Ready Ayurveda – Digital Health & Artificial Intelligence,” Kotecha emphasized India’s commitment to establishing a robust digital infrastructure for Ayurveda. He stated,
“Our primary goal for digitalisation in India is equity in health and wealth with scalability.”
Guiding Principles for Healthcare Delivery
Kotecha outlined the foundational principles that will guide the digital health agenda:
- Transparency
- Accessibility
- Scalability
- Inter-operability
- Privacy
Progress in Ayurvedic Renaissance
Over the past two decades, India has witnessed a renaissance in Ayurvedic practices, according to Kotecha. He highlighted ongoing initiatives under the Digital India program, which aims to create a citizen-centric digital ecosystem that integrates all stakeholders in Ayurveda, including:
- Practitioners
- Academicians
- Public health insurers
- Medicine manufacturers
- Non-governmental organizations
- Regulators
Innovative Digital Initiatives
Among the notable initiatives discussed was the NAMASTE (National Ayush Morbidity And Standardised Terminologies Electronic) Portal. This platform standardizes terminologies and morbidity codes, integrating Ayush practices with mainstream healthcare. Kotecha also introduced the Y-Break initiative, aimed at reducing workplace stress through simple yoga and meditation techniques, which has engaged over one million employees.
Enhancing Research and Development
The Ayur Research Portal was another highlight, showcasing over 43,000 publications that facilitate drug discovery and the delivery of evidence-based medicine in the Ayush sector. This portal plays a crucial role in advancing research and development efforts.
AI in Ayurveda: A New Era
During the session, Mr. Bala Pesala, founder and CEO of Ayur.AI, presented on the intersection of Ayurveda and artificial intelligence. His insights focused on how AI can enhance diagnostic processes:
“AI can help doctors understand the root causes of diseases and apply knowledge from machine-learning and deep-learning algorithms in diagnosis and treatment,” Pesala remarked.
Pesala emphasized that AI is not intended to replace medical professionals but rather to assist them in delivering more precise and informed care.
Innovative Applications in Healthcare
Pesala introduced two innovative applications developed by Ayur.AI:
- AI Well: Utilizes digital and blood markers along with genomics and AI to provide personalized Ayurvedic solutions for wellness and disease management.
- AI Kiosk: Enables comprehensive health screening using digital devices within Ayurveda parameters.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
The session, moderated by Dr. Preeti Chhabra, a prominent Ayurvedic consultant from New Delhi, set the stage for future discussions around the digital transformation of Ayurveda. As India continues to embrace technology within traditional practices, the potential for improved healthcare delivery and patient outcomes remains promising.
The World Ayurveda Congress continues for four days, focusing on the theme: Digital Health – An Ayurveda Perspective, showcasing the integration of ancient wisdom with modern technology..
