Ayush Ministry Issues New Skin Disorder Treatment Guidelines
The Ministry of AYUSH has released new Standard Treatment Guidelines for managing skin disorders using Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homoeopathy, and Yoga.
In a major move to standardise traditional medicine, the Ministry of AYUSH has officially released the Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) for the management of dermatological disorders. These comprehensive guidelines cover four major traditional systems—Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homoeopathy—while also incorporating the role of Yoga in skin health.
The document, prepared by the AYUSH Vertical of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), aims to bring much-needed uniformity, quality assurance, and evidence-based practices to clinical care across these diverse traditional systems.
Integrating Tradition with Modern Science
The release of these guidelines marks a significant milestone in integrating AYUSH systems into the national healthcare framework. Speaking on the development, Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, emphasized the importance of combining ancient wisdom with modern validation.
“These guidelines bring together system-specific clinical approaches with contemporary scientific evidence to support safe, effective and holistic care for common dermatological conditions,” the Minister stated. He added that the move would strengthen the role of AYUSH in public health by promoting standardised and evidence-informed clinical practices.
A Focus on Common Skin Conditions
The guidelines are not merely theoretical; they provide practical, actionable recommendations for several prevalent skin ailments. For each of the traditional systems, the STGs outline specific protocols for:
- Prevention of skin issues.
- Diagnosis of dermatological conditions.
- Treatment methodologies.
- Follow-up and rehabilitation processes.
The document specifically addresses common conditions such as psoriasis, dermatitis, vitiligo, urticaria, and dermatophytosis, ensuring that practitioners have a clear roadmap for patient care.
Rigorous Development and Field Validation
The creation of these guidelines was an intensive, interdisciplinary effort. It involved a massive collaboration between the Ayush Research Councils, senior academic specialists from all four traditional systems, Yoga experts, and specialists in modern medicine. The process included a deep review of classical texts alongside an assessment of current scientific evidence.
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, highlighted that the guidelines were developed through expert consultations to ensure they preserve the fundamental principles of each system while supporting rational decision-making. Similarly, Loveneesh G Krishna, Director General of Health Services, noted that the multidisciplinary approach is essential for delivering safe and patient-centred care.
Real-World Testing in Clinical Settings
To ensure the guidelines were practical for everyday use, a unique field-level validation process was conducted. The AYUSH Vertical partnered with the Directorate of Ayush, Government of NCT of Delhi, to test these protocols with Medical Officers working in primary and secondary healthcare facilities.
The feedback received from these frontline medical officers regarding the operational usability of the protocols was integrated into the final documents. This ensures that the guidelines are not just academically sound but also clinically relevant and easy to implement in real-world medical environments.
Released on the occasion of the 11th Ayurveda Day, these guidelines are expected to serve as a vital reference for capacity building, medical education, and future research in the field of traditional dermatology.