New Delhi, Mar 25 (BNP): The Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), has announced a joint clinical study to evaluate Ayurveda as an adjunct therapy in tuberculosis (TB) treatment, marking a step toward integrative healthcare in India.
The announcement was made on World Tuberculosis Day at a high-level event held at Vigyan Bhawan, attended by senior policymakers, scientists, and healthcare experts.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, said India is making steady progress in its fight against TB through science-driven innovation and integrated healthcare approaches.
“The collaborative clinical study reflects our commitment to evidence-based innovation, combining modern biomedical research with traditional knowledge systems,” he said, adding that efforts are also focused on addressing challenges such as drug resistance and undernutrition.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, emphasised that TB treatment must go beyond eliminating infection to ensuring complete patient recovery and improved quality of life.
“With this approach, Ayurveda and other Ayush systems can play a supportive role in enhancing recovery, nutrition, and overall well-being,” he said.
The study, titled “Clinical Study on Ayurveda as an Adjunct Therapy for Tuberculosis”, will be conducted as a multi-centre trial across premier institutions, including AIIMS, JIPMER, and NEIGRIHMS.
Led by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) in partnership with DBT, the 24-month study aims to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of an Ayurveda regimen alongside standard anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT), combined with nutritional support.
Officials said the initiative is expected to generate scientific evidence on improving recovery rates, nutritional outcomes, and quality of life among TB patients.
The programme also witnessed the exchange of a memorandum of understanding between BRIC-Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) and CCRAS to formalise institutional collaboration.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to advancing evidence-based integrative healthcare solutions to tackle public health challenges and accelerate progress toward TB elimination.
