AYUSH: Modi's Innovation in Indian Health Systems

Abstract

Background and Objective: This study was conducted as the first attempt of reviewing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's almost four year-old ministry as an innovative health policy. Modi's administration has employed innovative strategies such as the embracement of indigenous transformation of health system side by side with the strengthening of modern medical technology and practices. This facilitated the birth of the Ministry of AYUSH. This paper analyzed the processes involving the development and implementation of Modi's innovations in India's health sector.

Methodology: Through contextual analysis, data were generated from various online sources including reports and modules available in the Ministry of Ayush and other government offices' websites.

Results: It showed that the set of trends identified by Cavalcante and Camoes was present in the ministry as a public management innovation in health care in India. These are the improvement of transparency mechanisms, open government and accountability; promotion of e-government; ease access and citizen participation in public administration; new public policies that encourage more active role of citizens in the creation of political capital; networks and partnerships of state actors, social and private enterprises; and expansion of information technology to increase the quality and efficiency in the delivery of public services.

Conclusion: The establishment of the Ministry of Ayush and the policy on Indian System of Medicine and Homoeopathy is another example of indigenous transformation in public management in Asia which brings synergy between the traditional wisdom of AYUSH and modern diagnostic tools and technology.