Tag: integrative medicine

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.

Travel

Goa to Sign MoU with Gomantak Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya to Boost Wellness Tourism

Tanisha Cardozo

In a significant development aimed at positioning Goa as a hub for wellness and holistic health tourism, Tourism Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte announced that the State will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with B.S.P’s Gomantak Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya & Research Centre (GAM&RC), Shiroda. The MoU is set to serve as an umbrella for future collaborative initiatives in Ayurvedic research, education, and integrative health tourism.

The announcement was made during the 10th Ayurveda Day celebrations, held under the theme “Ayurveda for People and Planet.” The event underscored GAM&RC’s dedication to promoting sustainable healthcare solutions rooted in ancient wisdom, adapted for the modern world.

A landmark moment in the event was the inauguration of Goa’s first Cancer OPD in Ayurveda. This facility opens new avenues for integrative cancer care, where patients can access support that blends traditional Ayurvedic principles with modern medical frameworks. This approach not only addresses physical health but also emphasizes mental and emotional wellbeing, offering a holistic pathway to healing for patients and their families.

Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, the Chief Guest at the event, praised the institute’s legacy of producing over 1,000 graduates and its ongoing contribution to healthcare and community service. Highlighting the institute’s impact on women’s empowerment and Ayurvedic tourism, he emphasized the need for innovation and integration of technology in the wellness sector. “In a developed India, people are actively seeking holistic alternatives. With awareness rising and choices expanding, wellness has become not just a personal goal but a lifestyle,” he stated.

The ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries including Shri Subhash Shirodkar, Minister for Water Resources and Corporation, who served as Guest of Honour. Other attendees included Dr. Yogesh Bendale of Ayurved Rasayani, Pune, Dr. Sneha Bhagwat, President of Goa Council of Ayurveda, and Adv. Narendra K. Sawaikar, President of Bharateeya Sanskriti Prabodhini, alongside senior faculty of GAM&RC.

The State’s collaboration with GAM&RC is seen as a forward-thinking step to leverage Goa’s natural, cultural, and educational assets in Ayurveda. By integrating traditional knowledge with tourism infrastructure, the government aims to attract both domestic and international visitors seeking authentic, regenerative experiences.

This partnership reflects Goa’s commitment to nurturing skilled Ayurvedic professionals, boosting local employment, and positioning the state as a national leader in wellness tourism—offering much more than just scenic beaches, but a complete ecosystem for healing, learning, and sustainable living.

Health

Goa Advances as Hub for Integrative Oncology: AIIA Hosts Second Stakeholder Deliberation Meeting

Tanisha Cardozo

Dhargal, Goa – August 2025: In a defining moment for the future of holistic cancer care in India, the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa, successfully hosted the Second Stakeholder Deliberation Meeting on Integrative Oncology at its Dhargal campus. The meeting, in collaboration with the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, is set to position Goa as a national model for integrative oncology.

The meeting was opened by Dr. Sujata Kadam, Dean of AIIA Goa, and Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, Director of ACTREC – Tata Memorial Centre. The event brought together experts from modern oncology, Ayurveda, digital health, research, and policy-making, reflecting a true multi-disciplinary approach to healthcare.

  • Dr. Vikram Gota presented ACTREC’s initiatives in collaborative research and digital integration for oncology.
  • Dr. Sujata Kadam outlined AIIA’s infrastructure and implementation plan for an integrative cancer care framework.
  • Dr. Anura Bale discussed medicinal plant cultivation strategies for therapeutic support.
  • Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Senior Oncologist, proposed a joint tumor board merging modern and AYUSH oncologists.
  • Dr. Devdutt M. Sail introduced the vision of a National Integrative Oncology Grid to unify protocols and standardize practices.

The day also included the formation of committees, protocol discussions, and an institutional audit of AIIA Dhargal by ACTREC, DHS, and Goa Medical College.

In the evening, a high-level session at the Secretariat, Porvorim, was led by:

  • Dr. Mahesh Verlekar, Nodal Officer, NAM
  • Dr. Sujata Kadam, AIIA Goa
  • Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, ACTREC
  • Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Senior Oncologist

Arun Kumar Mishra, Secretary of Health, assured the Government of Goa’s full support for the initiative, stating that integrative oncology can redefine patient care and position Goa as a leader in evidence-based, patient-centric cancer treatment.

Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, commended the efforts and announced plans for an “Integrative Oncology Mission”, calling it a critical step toward holistic, accessible cancer treatment. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to this mission, outlining policy direction, institutional support, and resource mobilisation.

The meeting saw active participation from policymakers, administrators, academic leaders, and clinicians, including:

  • Dr. Sudeep Gupta, Director, Tata Memorial Centre (virtual)
  • Dr. Yoguesh Bandale, Chairman, Rasayu Group (virtual)
  • Trupti Manerkar, Joint Secretary (Health)
  • Dr. Pooja Madkaikar, Director, Admin DHS
  • Dr. Nilesh Korde, Principal, Gomantak Ayurved College
  • Dr. Sneha Bhagwat, President, Goa Ayurveda Council
  • Dr. Manohar Gundeti, CARI, Mumbai
  • Dr. Sandip Sardesai, Goa Medical College
  • Dr. Vinayak Tembhurnikar, NIMA
  • Dr. Avinash Kadam, CSO, Rasayu Group

Their contributions enriched the discussions with diverse insights on education, clinical practices, research protocols, and policy alignment.

📍 Host: All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Dhargal
🤝 In Partnership With: ACTREC – Tata Memorial Centre
🗓️ Event: Second Stakeholder Deliberation on Integrative Oncology
🗣️ Chief Guest: Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister, Goa