Integrating Digital Health Innovations with AYUSH in India’s Public Hospitals: A management framework for holistic and scalable healthcare

Abstract

India’s pluralistic health system officially recognizes both modern medicine and AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy). The Ayushman Bharat initiatives now seek to integrate these traditions with digital health infrastructure. This study proposes a management framework for integrating AYUSH services into public hospital digital platforms. We review policies and data on AYUSH utilization—over 755,780 registered practitioners and 3,844 AYUSH hospitals—and assess digital health progress, including Ayush Grid EHR systems and the eSanjeevani telemedicine platform. As of 2023, AYUSH doctors were posted in 6,891 PHCs, 3,149 CHCs, and 470 district hospitals, allowing patients to access traditional care alongside modern medicine. The Ayush Grid and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) are linking AYUSH records with national health IDs. By 2025, hundreds of millions of digital health IDs had been issued, and AYUSH facilities incorporated into national registries. Telehealth uptake is growing: eSanjeevani has delivered over 276 million consultations, and dedicated AYUSH telemedicine guidelines were released in 2020. Early pilots show promise, with over 20,000 AYUSH teleconsults delivered and 1,518 Health & Wellness Centres functional. However, integration remains uneven. Only 37 of 137 planned integrated AYUSH hospitals were operational by 2023. Barriers include limited interoperability, inconsistent EHR use, low digital literacy, and fragmented governance. Drawing on thematic analysis, we propose a framework with four pillars: (1) Technology Infrastructure—expand ABDM-compatible platforms like AHMIS; (2) Standards & Data Integration—develop harmonized AYUSH vocabularies and coding protocols (e.g. ICD-11); (3) Capacity Building—joint training for AYUSH and allopathic providers; (4) Governance—establish inter-ministerial forums and allocate integration-specific funding. If implemented effectively, this strategy can scale holistic, patient-centered care and transform public hospitals into inclusive, digital-integrated health systems.