"Kerala Invests ₹1,000 Crore in AYUSH Infrastructure Development, Announces CM"

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced recently that the state government has invested ₹1,000 crore over the past three years to enhance its AYUSH infrastructure. This investment includes the establishment of an International Institute of Ayurveda Research and a new Ayurveda medical college in Idukki district.

The announcement was made during the inauguration of the two-day Global Ayurveda Summit and Kerala Healthcare Tourism event. The summit, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) with support from the Ministry of Ayush and both Central and State governments, aims to highlight Kerala's holistic healthcare environment.

“Our strength lies in seamlessly blending traditional Ayurvedic practices with cutting-edge modern medicine,” Vijayan said, according to a release from the event organizers.

Speakers at the summit advocated for promoting Kerala as a premier healing destination by leveraging its strengths in modern medicine, Ayurveda, and tourism. They emphasized the importance of a holistic and integrated approach to healthcare management, combining advancements in medical sciences with traditional knowledge systems.

Ahmed Gasim, Maldives Minister of State for Health, highlighted Kerala as the preferred choice for healthcare among Maldivians. He praised the state’s healthcare facilities but recommended improvements in coordination between service providers, emphasizing the need for better accountability, data protection, and safety standards to further strengthen the sector.

Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, delivered the keynote address, noting that the Indian AYUSH market is projected to reach $200 billion by 2030, up from $43.3 billion currently. The sector has experienced significant growth, expanding eightfold over the past decade from $2.85 billion in 2014 to $24 billion in 2024.

The summit featured the release of the CII-KPMG report on Kerala's healthcare sector and a special edition of Oushadham magazine in memory of Dr. MS Valiathan. The event includes 82 exhibitions and has attracted 1,000 delegates, including representatives from 18 countries.

BS