The Ayush vertical: Pioneering comprehensive public healthcare under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Government of India

India’s public healthcare system is vast and diverse, serving a population of over 1.4 billion with a foray into primary, secondary, and tertiary care, signifying preventive, promotive, and curative health. The Department of Ayush was given the status of a separate Ministry of Ayush in 2014. Ever since, the Ayush system has experienced significant growth, evidenced by initiatives like the National Ayush Mission, Public Health Initiative Scheme under Ayurswasthya Yojana, the establishment of National Institutes, All India Institute of Ayurveda, launch of 12,500 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, and increased budgetary support for public health programs. For expanding the role of Ayush in integrated health care, there was a need to institutionalize the mechanisms to plan, monitor, and supervise Ayush-specific public health programs. To address this, an Ayush Vertical was created under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in December 2023. This strategic move aims to strengthen the integration of Ayush with modern health care, fostering a more comprehensive and integrated public health system.