AYUSH digital initiatives: Harnessing the power of digital technology for India’s traditional medical systems
Authors
Sendhilkumar Muthappan
aICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Rajalakshmi Elumalai
aICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Natarajan Shanmugasundaram
bCentral Council for Research in Siddha - Siddha Central Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Nikilniva Johnraja
cGovernment Siddha Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Hema Prasath
cGovernment Siddha Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Priyadharshini Ambigadoss
cGovernment Siddha Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Ambika Kandhasamy
cGovernment Siddha Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Dhivya Kathiravan
cGovernment Siddha Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Manickam Ponnaiah
aICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Keywords:
AYUSH, Traditional medicine, Medical informatics, Ayurveda, Siddha
Abstract
The incorporation of digital technologies is recognized as one of the inevitable factors to achieve better health care services. Recently, Indian Ministry of AYUSH (MoA) embraced digitalization extensively for development, education and research in AYUSH. In this context, we describe India's digital initiatives for AYUSH systems of medicine for information, research, and academia at various levels. We reviewed the websites and documents available from the MoA and its research councils/institutes along with the plan documents. We described the identified digital initiatives under categories of (1) Health information system (2) Research database/library (3) Academic (4) Information Education and Communication (IEC). We specified the purpose and target group of the identified digital initiatives. We identified 19 key digital initiatives. The AYUSH hospital management information system (A-HMIS), National AYUSH Morbidity and Standardized Terminologies Electronic Portal (NAMASTE), AYUSH Suraksha, e-Aushadhi, e-Charak, Triskandha Kosha, SiddAR APP were categorized under health information system. The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), AYUSH research portal, DHARA, e-CHLAS, Research Management Information system (RMIS), e-Granthasamuccaya and AYUSH Sanjivani App were categorized under research database/library. The Ayurveda e-learning and Ayurvedic Inheritance of India were categorized as the academic initiatives. The Siddha–NIS App, Yoga locator, and Naturopathy-NIN App were categorized as Information, education and communication (IEC) initiatives. The digital initiatives from the MoA were a key to reform the traditional systems of medicines and could improve the education, quality of research and accessibility of the AYUSH healthcare services.
Keywords: AYUSH, Traditional medicine, Medical informatics, Ayurveda, Siddha
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