The two-day National Workshop on “IT Solutions in the Ayush Sector” was inaugurated today by Smt. Veena George, Minister for Health and Women & Child Development, Government of Kerala, at the picturesque KTDC Waterscapes, Kumarakom in Kerala. Organised by the National Ayush Mission, Kerala, the workshop brings together 91 Representatives from 23 States and Union Territories and 155 participants, including senior officials, technical experts, and policymakers, in alignment with priorities from the Ayush Departmental Summit 2025 held in New Delhi.

In her inaugural address, Minister Veena George warmly welcomed the delegates and emphasized the symbolic choice of Kumarakom’s natural setting, reflecting the harmony that Ayush promotes. She stressed that while embracing rapid technological advancements, it is crucial to uphold traditional values. The Minister underlined the imperative for digital tools to integrate seamlessly into the health ecosystem—facilitating real-time monitoring, enhanced human resource management, strong data frameworks, and transparent financial tracking for more accessible and affordable care. She called upon all participants to collaboratively chart a roadmap for a centralized, interoperable digital framework that strengthens the National Health Mission and leaves no one behind. Expressing gratitude to the Ministry of Ayush, Government of Kerala, and all stakeholders involved, she expressed hope that the workshop would yield concrete outcomes, including innovative digital platforms and aligned national initiatives.

Minister Veena George further articulated Kerala’s commitment to balancing ancient wisdom with modern technology, asserting that the state’s pioneering role in digital health innovation sets a benchmark for others. She reiterated the need for uniformity and scalability across Ayush digital services nationwide, rooted in citizen-centric governance, and expressed confidence that the workshop’s deliberations would enhance real-time monitoring and data integration.

Delivering the keynote address, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, highlighted the critical juncture reached in integrating IT solutions within the Ayush sector. He emphasized that the adoption of digital tools and platforms is no longer optional but essential to improve accessibility, affordability, and quality of service delivery. Vaidya Kotecha elaborated on the Ministry’s ongoing initiatives, such as the Ayush Grid and new digital portals, which are designed to foster collaboration among States and Union Territories, standardize software to avoid duplication, and ensure equitable access to modernized Ayush services across the country.

He urged all participants to actively adopt these digital innovations and align their efforts with the broader National Digital Health Mission. Stressing the importance of interoperable systems, he spoke about enabling real-time monitoring of patient care, efficient management of data and human resources, and seamless financial tracking. Vaidya Kotecha reiterated that these digital systems should empower citizens and act as enablers of public health governance rooted in evidence and equity, thereby strengthening the Ayush sector’s contribution to India’s health ecosystem.

Shri Rajan N. Khobragade, Additional Chief Secretary (Health & Ayush), Government of Kerala, in his address, commended Kerala’s achievements in health and Ayush infrastructure as well as its progress in digital inclusion. He urged participating States and Union Territories to leverage Kerala’s model and collaborate in creating user-friendly, centrally integrated, and locally adaptable digital platforms. Shri Khobragade emphasized that such innovations must ensure uniform standards in key areas such as data management, patient services, and monitoring systems.

Dr. Raghu, Advisor, Ministry of Ayush, underscored the workshop as a timely platform to promote IT-driven solutions that enhance transparency, patient care, and accessibility while supporting robust research and infrastructure development.

Ranjan Kumar, Principal Secretary, Ayush, Uttar Pradesh, emphasized the value of such forums to foster innovation, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among states, ensuring scalable and inclusive health solutions nationwide.

Dr. D Sajith Babu, State Mission Director, National Ayush Mission, Kerala, noted the workshop’s importance in advancing Kerala’s mission to modernize Ayush services through innovative IT interventions. He highlighted the opportunity to engage with live demonstrations of hospital management software and stressed inclusive digital transformation ensuring no community is left behind.

Dr. Subodh Kumar, Director, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, commended the National Ayush Mission, Kerala, for steering this initiative that echoes the Ayush Departmental Summit’s vision and fosters inter-state synergy in the digital realm.

Ms. Kavita Jain, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, was also present on the occasion. 91 Representatives from 23 States and Union Territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal, along with officials from the Ministry of Ayush and Ayush Grid, are participating in the workshop.

The workshop centers on exchanging best practices and innovations, providing orientation on Central Government IT platforms like Ayush Grid, and deliberating critical areas including program management, patient care, monitoring, human resource and data management, and financial tracking.

A two-day field visit from September 20–21, 2025, will take participants to Ayush facilities in Kerala’s Kottayam, Alappuzha, and Thrissur districts, featuring NABH Entry Level Certified and Kayakalp Awarded Ayushman Arogya Mandir, Government Ayush Hospitals, the Sports Ayurveda Project, and initiatives like Arogyanouka, Palliative Care, Drishti, and Ayurkarma.

This National Workshop marks a pivotal advance in India’s journey toward a future-ready, dynamic, and citizen-focused Ayush digital health ecosystem.

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MV/GS