Traditional and modern medicine must work together, not compete, says Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav has said there is no competition between traditional and modern systems of medicine. He said the future of the country's healthcare sector is being shaped by the coordination of the two systems. He was speaking at the Times Network India Health Summit & Awards 2026 in New Delhi.

In his address, Jadhav laid particular stress on the changing nature of healthcare services, scientific evidence and tackling lifestyle diseases.

Jadhav said India's real strength lies in two things: modern medical technology that is advancing on one side, and the traditional Ayush systems handed down through generations on the other. People's health expectations are now changing, he said. It is therefore essential to build effective dialogue and cooperation between modern medicine and traditional systems so that citizens get the right treatment at the right time.

The Minister said the discussion on traditional and modern medicine should not be limited to choosing one system over the other. The real aim, he said, should be that a patient gets the best and most precise treatment according to need.

Jadhav set out three points on bringing the two systems together. First, the necessary caution must be exercised in integrating them. Second, every treatment must be judged on its effectiveness and scientific evidence. Third, where traditional medicine can prove effective, it should be promoted properly with the support of modern science.

Jadhav expressed concern over lifestyle diseases. He said the country today faces not only the challenge of infectious diseases. Because of changing lifestyles and poor eating habits, ailments such as diabetes and heart disease have risen rapidly. He said it is better that the disease does not occur at all than to seek treatment after it does, so emphasis on preventive measures is necessary. Systems such as yoga and Ayurveda can play a very important role in maintaining physical health and managing stress, he said.

Jadhav also referred to the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Traditional Medicine Strategy for 2025-2034. Under it, he highlighted issues such as evidence-based research, safety, regulation and easy public access to treatment. He appealed to the country's entrepreneurs and researchers to develop high-quality healthcare services and take them to the world. Jadhav believes such conferences help considerably in charting the way forward for the development of the health sector.