Traditional Bharatiya Medicinal systems have been the centre of social media debates in recent times. These include Ayurveda, other regional Janjatiya and Vanvasi practices which have been integrated under Ayurveda and Siddha which is specific to Tamil Nadu. Even as naysayers attempt to discredit Bharat’s traditional medicine systems, Singapore is set to study and integrate traditional Chinese medicine in its primary healthcare system.
Singapore will include traditional Chinese medicine in its primary healthcare system
Singapore may soon integrate evidence-based Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatments into its national healthcare system under a new sandbox initiative. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced that 18 proposals are under evaluation, including using acupuncture for migraines, cancer-related care, and post-stroke rehabilitation. Other proposals cover gastrointestinal disorders, chronic pain, and epilepsy. SingHealth, the largest public health cluster, submitted more than half the proposals, aiming to complement Western medicine where conventional treatments have limitations or side effects.
The initiative will begin with a one- to two-year trial in public healthcare institutions, during which treatments will be assessed for safety, scientific rigor, and cost-effectiveness. If successful, these treatments may become eligible for subsidies and MediSave coverage. Currently, only acupuncture for lower back and neck pain qualifies.
Ong emphasized the goal is not wholesale adoption but thoughtful integration of proven TCM therapies to enhance patient care. A new national award from 2026 will also recognize outstanding TCM practitioners and educators. Experts highlighted the need for collaboration across healthcare clusters to generate robust clinical evidence. The forum, attended by over 400 doctors and TCM physicians, aimed to foster a common language between the two systems and promote integrative, patient-centered care.
Professor Lim stated that SingHealth, the largest health cluster, is focusing on TCM to address conditions like migraines and epilepsy, where Western medicine faces limitations. He emphasized TCM’s potential to reduce side effects when used alongside conventional treatments. SingHealth’s Fong Kok Yong stressed the need for large-scale, collaborative clinical trials across public health clusters to build robust evidence. Dr Goh Kia Seng welcomed Singapore’s first national award for TCM practitioners, recognizing their role in healthcare.
Traditional Bharatiya medicinal systems
Ayurveda has been part of Bharat’s traditional medical system since centuries. It is one of the oldest holistic healing medical systems that focuses on balancing the bodies doshas/energies through a combination of diet, lifestyle, and herbal solutions. Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that is integrated with Ayurveda for better results. Siddha, which focuses on the use of herbs, metals, and minerals in treatment, is a traditional medicinal system from South Bharat, particularly Tamil Nadu.
Traditional Bharatiya medicine, encompassing systems like Ayurveda and Yoga, is rooted in a holistic approach that views health as a harmonious balance between the body, mind, and spirit. These systems aim not only to treat ailments but also to restore and maintain this balance through various therapeutic practices.
A key feature of traditional Bharatiya medicine is its reliance on natural remedies such as utilizing herbs, minerals, and animal-based substances to address a wide range of health conditions. Along with this lifestyle practices such as dietary regulation, physical exercises like Yoga, and other daily routines designed to enhance overall well-being and prevent the onset of diseases are equally important.
Prevention, rather than only cure, lies at the core of these systems, emphasizing the importance of sustaining health through mindful living. In recent times, there has been a growing recognition of the relevance of these ancient practices in the modern world. Efforts to integrate their principles into mainstream healthcare are gaining momentum, supported by scientific research and global collaboration. A significant milestone in this direction was the first-ever Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, held in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar, under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO). The summit highlighted the potential of traditional systems like Ayurveda and Yoga in strengthening national health frameworks and underscored the importance of evidence-based integration for holistic healthcare.
While it is good that organizations like WHO are recognizing traditional Bharatiya medicinal systems as a viable option, we needn’t rely on western approval for everything. Unless we take pride in what belongs to us how do we expect the world to do so? In fact, West is appropriating ancient Bharatiya knowledge, repackaging, and selling it to us. It is time to own what is ours and stop its appropriation.
