LEH: Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, chaired the 3rd Governing Council Meeting of the State AYUSH Society under the National AYUSH Mission (NAM), laying out a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen AYUSH services, promote Sowa Rigpa, and expand access to traditional healthcare across the Union Territory.
The meeting reviewed the implementation of AYUSH initiatives and deliberated on the State Annual Action Plan (SAAP) for 2026–27, with a strong emphasis on improving healthcare delivery in remote and underserved areas while integrating traditional systems of medicine with modern healthcare services.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary, Planning Department; Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department; Joint Director, Finance; Director Health Services, Dr. Thinles; and senior officers from the concerned departments.
At the outset, Director Health Services Dr. Thinles presented a detailed overview of the agenda, covering the proposed State Annual Action Plan, strengthening of AYUSH health services, establishment of the State Medical Council (Indian Systems of Medicine) for UT Ladakh, construction of a 10-bedded Integrated AYUSH–Sowa Rigpa Hospital at Phyang, establishment of an International Sowa Rigpa Hydrotherapy and Yoga Wellness Centre, leave policy for National AYUSH Mission employees, constitution of an appraisal committee for NAM staff and the financial status of the State AYUSH Society.
Reviewing the proposals, the Chief Secretary stressed the need to strengthen AYUSH services by expanding healthcare facilities beyond urban centres and ensuring better access for people living in remote villages, newly created administrative units, nomadic settlements and difficult terrain. He sought detailed information on manpower deployment, infrastructure and service delivery at co-located AYUSH facilities functioning in Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres and District Hospitals.
To improve service delivery, Kundra directed the Health Department to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the existing AYUSH infrastructure and identify gaps in the availability of Sowa Rigpa practitioners, medicines and healthcare services across both Leh and Kargil districts. He also instructed officials to streamline the procurement mechanism for AYUSH medicines to ensure an uninterrupted supply of quality medicines through an efficient procurement system.
Highlighting the growing significance of Sowa Rigpa, Ladakh’s traditional system of medicine, the Chief Secretary called for the development of a comprehensive framework to promote the indigenous healthcare system. He suggested establishing specialised treatment facilities for neurological disorders, chronic pain management, rehabilitation and palliative care to position Ladakh as a leading destination for traditional and wellness-based healthcare.
Recognising the potential of wellness tourism, Kundra advised the department to explore opportunities for developing world-class treatment and wellness facilities, including hydrotherapy and yoga-based centres. He directed officials to prepare detailed project reports and examine funding opportunities available under the National AYUSH Mission to support these initiatives.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed proposals for strengthening AYUSH Mobile Medical Units, seeking details on manpower availability, staffing requirements and operational strategies. He emphasised that outreach services must be enhanced to improve healthcare access in far-flung regions through effective deployment of mobile healthcare services.
Stressing the importance of preventive healthcare, Kundra advocated greater integration of yoga and AYUSH-based wellness programmes in schools and communities. He also encouraged collaboration with reputed institutions working in traditional medicine, yoga and holistic healthcare to promote awareness and healthy lifestyles among the public.
To strengthen evidence-based planning, the Chief Secretary directed the department to maintain comprehensive patient data and outcome-based assessments of AYUSH interventions, enabling informed policy decisions and continuous improvement in healthcare delivery.
The meeting also reviewed the functioning of emergency ambulance services across the Union Territory. Kundra sought details regarding response time, staffing, vehicle utilisation and public satisfaction, directing the Health Department to strengthen emergency medical response in remote and high-altitude areas through improved coordination and technology-enabled monitoring.
Emphasising that the National AYUSH Mission offers a significant opportunity to strengthen traditional healthcare systems while complementing modern medicine, the Chief Secretary called for timely implementation of approved projects and greater inter-departmental coordination to ensure accessible, affordable and quality AYUSH services throughout Ladakh.
The meeting concluded with directions to the Health Department to incorporate the observations made during the review while finalising the State Annual Action Plan 2026–27 and ensure the effective implementation of the National AYUSH Mission across the Union Territory.
