Harnessing digital health for integrating Ayush systems in mainstream Public Health System of India

ABSTRACT: Integration of Ayush systems, i.e. Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homeopathy, into mainstream public health in India offers substantial opportunities but also faces complex systemic challenges. Digital Health, comprising national digital infrastructure (through Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission [ABDM]/Ayush Grid), telemedicine platforms (eSanjeevani), electronic medical records, interoperability standards, and analytics, can act as an accelerator to make meaningful, safe, evidence-driven integration achievable at scale. This paper examines how Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can operationalize integrative, evidence-based, and citizen-centric health systems by embedding Ayush within interoperable data frameworks, telemedicine networks, and aligning with nation’s “Digital India” and “AI for All” vision. It proposes concrete digital pathways, including Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) - linked Ayush Electronic Health Records (EHRs), tele-Ayush hubs, digital decision-support system, joint Health Management Information System (HIMS), and integrated Drugs and Vaccine Distribution Management System, standardized Information, Education and Communication and Yoga modules, and Pharmacovigilance systems to enhance access, quality, and safety of Ayush services. The article also outlines a digital research agenda aimed at generating evidence to strengthen the scientific foundation of Ayush. It suggests key short, mid, and long-term policy enablers necessary for mainstreaming and integrating Ayush within the public healthcare system through digital pathways. The article concludes that digitally enabled integration of Ayush can play a pivotal role in building a pluralistic, preventive, and participatory public health system, contributing significantly to India’s progress toward universal health coverage and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.