AYUSH, DBT collaborate to conduct clinical study on Ayurveda as adjunct therapy for Tuberculosis

NEW DELHI: Underscoring India's commitment to evidence-based integration of traditional and modern medicine in the fight against TB, the Union Ayush Ministry has collaborated with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for conducting a clinical study on Ayurveda as an adjunct therapy for the disease.

Led by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) in partnership with DBT, which functions under the Ministry of Science and Technology, the multi-centre study will assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of an Ayurveda regimen as an adjunct to standard Anti-Tuberculosis Treatment (ATT), along with nutritional support.

To be conducted across premier institutions including AIIMS, JIPMER and NEIGRIHMS, the 24-month study aims to generate robust scientific evidence on improving nutritional outcomes, accelerating recovery and enhancing quality of life among Tuberculosis (TB) patients, further strengthening India's commitment to innovative, patient-centric approaches for elimination of the disease.

The collaborative clinical study is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Ayush and DBT, rooted in the MoU signed in May 2022 to advance integrative and evidence-based healthcare.

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AYUSH, DBT partnership

The joint announcement was made by Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences and Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Union Ayush Ministry last week.

The treatment of TB is not only about eliminating the infection, but also about making the patient completely healthy, Jadhav said. "With this approach, we are moving towards a new perspective where Ayurveda and other Ayush systems are not only supportive in treatment but also play an important role in improving recovery, nutrition, and the quality of life of patients," he stated.

Dr Rajesh S Gokhale, DBT Secretary; Director General, BRIC; and Chairman, BIRAC, highlighted that TB research in India has seen remarkable advances through innovation in diagnostics, vaccines and large-scale cohort studies.

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A step towards evidence-based healthcare

This collaborative programme with the Ministry of Ayush marks a significant step towards integrative, evidence-based healthcare. "By combining modern science with Ayurveda, we aim to improve patient outcomes, enhance quality of life, and accelerate India's mission to eliminate TB," he said. Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, said that Tuberculosis management requires not only effective treatment but also a focus on recovery and quality of life.

"This Ayush-DBT collaborative initiative reflects our commitment to evidence-based integrative healthcare. By combining Ayurveda with science, we aim to address TB-associated cachexia, strengthen patient outcomes, and contribute meaningfully to India's goal of TB elimination," Kotecha said.