Lucknow: A strategic meeting was convened at Yojna Bhavan to outline preparations for Viksit Uttar Pradesh @2047, with a focus on strengthening and expanding the AYUSH sector across the state.
The session was chaired by Chief Minister’s Media Advisor Awanish Awasthi, IAS Manoj Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary (AYUSH) Ranjan Kumar, and Director General (AYUSH) Chaitra V. The inaugural session commenced with a lamp-lighting ceremony followed by a formal welcome of the dignitaries.
Principal Secretary Ranjan Kumar emphasized the need to enhance integrated health services under AYUSH, standardize AYUSH medical protocols, and ensure compulsory posting of newly graduated AYUSH doctors in rural areas to expand healthcare access in remote regions. He also highlighted the vast potential of developing AYUSH as a major pillar of medical and wellness tourism.
Principal Secretary (Planning) Alok Kumar stressed aligning wellness tourism with spiritual tourism hubs such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Mathura, which attract large numbers of visitors. He underlined the importance of setting short-term and long-term goals to be achieved by 2047, along with encouraging the cultivation of medicinal herbs and increasing the number of qualified AYUSH professionals.
Principal Secretary (Tourism) Amrit Abhijat called for enhancing Uttar Pradesh’s wellness tourism framework, noting that tourists seeking treatment and prolonged stays contribute significantly to the economy. He highlighted the need to address key challenges such as quality standards, certified centers, branding, and a well-trained therapist workforce to transform Uttar Pradesh into a global wellness destination.
Chief Minister’s Advisor and former DCGI Dr. G.N. Singh noted the rising global inclination toward natural healthcare, with $15 trillion being spent annually on health services worldwide. He proposed establishing two AYUSH valleys in promising regions like Pilibhit and Gorakhpur while emphasizing patient safety and rights.
CEO of the State Transformation Commission Manoj Kumar Singh underlined the role of AYUSH in improving the Human Development Index (HDI) and called for concrete measures to reduce maternal and infant mortality, stating that the future workforce will determine the success of Uttar Pradesh’s 2047 goals.
Professor Bejon Misra, Chairperson of the Government of India’s AYUSH Committee, suggested launching a 24×7 AYUSH helpline and creating a comprehensive state register of all AYUSH practitioners.
The meeting was attended by senior AYUSH medical officials, including Government Ayurveda Hospital Principal Prof. Dinesh Kumar Maurya, Unani Director Prof. Jamal Akhtar, and Homeopathy Director, among other departmental representatives.
