Tag: Indian Healthcare

Health

Secretary Ayush Emphasizes Ayurveda’s Central Role in Shaping Holistic Healthcare at CII Annual Health Summit 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

At the 22nd CII Annual Health Summit 2025 held in New Delhi, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, underscored the growing significance of Ayurveda in India’s evolving healthcare landscape. Addressing healthcare leaders, industry representatives, and policymakers, he emphasized that Ayurveda’s time-tested principles and holistic practices have a crucial role to play in the future of healthcare, both domestically and globally.

Shri Kotecha called upon hospitals, wellness resorts, and healthcare providers to actively integrate Ayurvedic therapies, detoxification programs, and yoga-based wellness treatments alongside modern medical services. He noted that this integrative approach can help create a truly inclusive healthcare model that addresses not only disease management but also prevention and overall well-being.

Highlighting the increasing global interest in traditional and natural healing systems, he observed that Ayurveda and holistic wellness programs are gaining popularity among both Indian and international patients seeking comprehensive and restorative healthcare. According to him, the fusion of traditional healing wisdom with modern scientific advancements will be instrumental in positioning India as a leading global destination for medical tourism.

The Secretary also emphasized that the Ministry of AYUSH is committed to promoting evidence-based Ayurvedic practices and fostering collaborations that bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and contemporary medical innovation. By aligning wellness and modern healthcare infrastructure, he said, India can establish itself as a global leader in integrative medicine and sustainable healthcare practices.

Vaidya Kotecha’s address at the CII Health Summit reaffirmed the government’s vision of building a healthcare ecosystem that is inclusive, globally competitive, and rooted in India’s rich heritage of holistic healing.

Health

Dr. Sairaj Phaldessai Appointed as Collaborator in Rural Health by The University of Tokyo

Tanisha Cardozo

In a remarkable development that brings pride to Goa and the Indian medical fraternity, Dr. Sairaj Phaldessai has been appointed as a Collaborator in Rural Health by The University of Tokyo. As part of this prestigious role, Dr. Phaldessai will present papers focused on rural healthcare in India, contributing to global medical discourse and research.

A graduate of Goa Medical College, Dr. Phaldessai is the son of the late Dr. Satish Phaldessai, a respected name in rural medicine. His appointment not only carries forward a legacy of service but also signals a growing international recognition of the work being done in India’s rural healthcare sector.

Through this collaboration, Dr. Phaldessai will bring insights into the challenges faced by rural communities in accessing healthcare—ranging from infrastructure and outreach to cultural and socioeconomic factors. Equally, his work will highlight the innovative grassroots solutions being implemented in Indian villages and semi-urban areas to address these barriers.

This appointment also marks a significant milestone in Dr. Phaldessai’s career, establishing him as a thought leader in rural health and a representative voice from Goa on the global medical stage. His contributions are expected to foster deeper academic exchange between India and Japan, while strengthening the bridge between traditional practices and modern healthcare frameworks.

As Goa continues to make its mark in various professional arenas, Dr. Phaldessai’s recognition underscores the global impact local leaders can have when dedication meets opportunity. His journey serves as an inspiration for young medical professionals committed to healthcare accessibility and innovation.

Health

Government of India Announces ₹10-Crore Prize for Breakthrough Drug to Treat Sickle Cell Disease

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In collaboration with AIIMS-Delhi, the nation launches a high-stakes competition to accelerate innovation in rare disease treatment

New Delhi, June 20, 2025 – In a landmark initiative aimed at eradicating the devastating effects of sickle cell disease (SCD), the Government of India has unveiled a ₹10-crore prize challenge for the development of a breakthrough drug to treat the condition. This ambitious program, spearheaded in collaboration with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, seeks to harness cutting-edge scientific research, innovation, and public-private collaboration to deliver a scalable, affordable solution to one of India’s most pressing genetic health burdens.

🚨 The Urgency: Why Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle cell disease is a hereditary blood disorder that affects hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that delivers oxygen throughout the body. India carries one of the largest burdens of SCD globally, with tribal and under-resourced communities in central and eastern India disproportionately affected.

“We are committed to eliminating sickle cell disease as a public health threat by 2047,” said Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, adding that this initiative aligns with the broader mission of Ayushman Bharat and the National Health Policy.

🏆 About the ₹10-Crore Prize

The prize money — ₹10 crore (approximately USD 1.2 million) — will be awarded to the most promising and scientifically viable drug proposal that can safely and effectively treat or modify the course of sickle cell disease.

Key features of the challenge:

  • Open to: Indian and international researchers, pharmaceutical companies, biotech startups, academic institutions, and innovators
  • Evaluation by: A national jury panel led by AIIMS-Delhi, comprising hematologists, pharmacologists, public health experts, and regulatory officials
  • Criteria: Safety, efficacy, scalability, affordability, and suitability for rural India

The winning proposal may also receive regulatory fast-tracking support, clinical trial facilitation, and potential inclusion in government health schemes once approved.

🧪 AIIMS-Delhi: Leading the Scientific Assessment

AIIMS-Delhi will act as the principal knowledge partner and scientific reviewer for the challenge, setting protocols for evaluation, overseeing clinical criteria, and ensuring transparency in the selection process.

“Our goal is to push the boundaries of current research and discover a drug that not only treats symptoms but offers lasting relief or potential cure,” said Dr. Randeep Guleria, former Director of AIIMS.

🌍 Vision for Health Equity

This initiative is part of the National Mission to Eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia by 2047, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023. The goal is to:

  • Screen over 70 million people in affected regions
  • Raise awareness in tribal and rural populations
  • Support indigenous research and therapeutic innovation

📅 How to Apply

Submissions for the prize challenge will open on July 15, 2025, via the official Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) portal. Deadline for concept proposals is September 30, 2025, with final selection and award expected by March 2026.