Skip to main content

Advancing Universal Health Coverage Through Traditional Medicine: 4th National Acupuncture Science Congress to Spotlight Safe, Ethical & Evidence-Informed Integrative Care

 Curtain Raiser

4th National Acupuncture Science Congress to Highlight the Role of Traditional Medicine in Advancing Universal Health Coverage

Bengaluru | Kerala | Tamil Nadu |May 2026

At a time when the global health community is rethinking the future of healthcare systems under growing pressure of chronic diseases, mental health concerns, addiction, workforce shortages, and rising inequities, the 4th National Acupuncture Science Congress being organized by FAST Board Bangalore and KUG Oriental Academy Kerala is expected to bring renewed focus on the role of safe, ethical, evidence-informed, and people-centered Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) in India.

The Congress comes in the backdrop of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) in Geneva, where Member States are discussing the implementation of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 — a landmark framework adopted during WHA78 to strengthen integration of traditional medicine into health systems while ensuring quality, safety, ethics, and evidence-based practice.

According to the World Health Organization:

  • 88% of WHO Member States report the use of Traditional Medicine,
  • nearly 40–99% of people globally use Traditional Medicine as part of healthcare,
  • yet less than 1% of global health research funding is dedicated to Traditional Medicine research.

The Congress aims to strengthen scientific dialogue, practitioner competencies, public trust, and interdisciplinary collaboration in acupuncture and integrative care systems in India.

A major highlight of the Congress will be the growing national collaboration between FAST Board, Nada India Foundation, Vidya Lead Academy, and the Indian Association of Acupuncture Detoxification Specialists (IAADS) to strengthen ethical and community-centered integrative behavioral health approaches in India.

The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between FAST Board, Nada India Foundation, and Vidya Lead Academy has been described as a landmark step toward:

  • strengthening ethical and safe acupuncture practices,
  • promoting evidence-informed integrative care,
  • developing practitioner competencies,
  • and building community-centered behavioral health and addiction recovery systems.

The collaboration also aligns with Vidya Lead Academy’s SMART Commitments formally acknowledged during the Closing Ceremony of the Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine held in New Delhi in December 2025 in the presence of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, WHO Director-General, and Union Ministers for Health & Family Welfare and AYUSH.

The SMART Commitments focus on:

  • ethical and safe delivery of NADA-based ear acupuncture,
  • practitioner competence and supervision,
  • evidence-informed practice,
  • peer-led recovery-oriented approaches,
  • and strengthening community trust in TCIM services.

As part of these efforts, the first batch of 29 NADA Acupuncture Detoxification Specialists (ADS) has now been prepared to provide the NADA Protocol as an adjunct behavioral health and recovery support intervention in a safe and standardized manner.

The Congress will also feature a special training session titled:

“Integrating the NADA Protocol in Drug Rehabilitation Centres: Before, During, and After Treatment – Including Relapse Prevention”

The session will be conducted by Mr. Ravi Chandran, Convenor – Nada India Tamil Nadu, representing Nada India Foundation.

The training will focus on:

  • behavioral stabilization,
  • emotional regulation,
  • relapse prevention,
  • ethical and safe delivery practices,
  • and the role of group-based recovery and community-centered support systems.

Prof. Dr. A.R. Samiullah and Dr. Ummer Gurukkal believe that the Congress can contribute toward strengthening dialogue on how Traditional Medicine can support:

  • primary healthcare,
  • behavioral health,
  • addiction recovery,
  • chronic stress management,
  • and people-centered Universal Health Coverage in India.

The Congress is expected to bring together practitioners, researchers, educators, public health professionals, rehabilitation workers, and students from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and other parts of the country.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Championing Youth Voice & Values – Bridging Humanities with Healthier Campuses

By Vidya Lead Academy | In collaboration with Nada India Foundation "Empowerment is not something handed down—it is discovered, nurtured, and lived." — Dr. Kakoli Dey The recent session of Vidya Lead Academy , in association with Nada India Foundation , marked a powerful milestone in our mission to shape healthier campuses and conscious young citizens . Students from Manav Rachna International School, Faridabad , joined hands with youth from Shimla and Jamshedpur , bringing with them not just energy and curiosity but an urgent desire to act , reflect , and lead . Under the insightful mentorship of Mr. Suneel Vatsyayan (Life Coach and CEO, Vidya Lead Academy ) and Ms. Hiral Krishnatray , the session created a nurturing environment where young voices felt heard and respected. What emerged was not a lecture—but a shared space for self-discovery , social insight , and purpose-driven learning . A Special Guest with a Transformative Message We were honored to host Prof. ...
1 comment
Read more

Guiding Lights: How Mentorship Illuminates the Path for Today’s Youth

Designed by: Chetan Suwalka Community Action Team (CAT) Member Nada Young India Network for Good Health Guiding Lights: How Mentorship Illuminates the Path for Today’s Youth 🕊️ Bridging the Gap Between Classroom, Community, and Civil Society From our earliest days, guidance from parents, teachers, and elders has played a central role in shaping our values, aspirations, and direction in life. These early mentors serve as the foundation upon which we build our goals. Yet, in the face of today’s rapidly evolving world, traditional guidance—while still essential—often falls short. The development of today’s youth is influenced by a multitude of factors: complex family structures, societal expectations, economic stressors, cultural shifts, and psychological challenges. Navigating such a landscape demands more than academic knowledge. Young people must be equipped with emotional resilience, ethical awareness, decision-making ability, and critical thinking skills to thrive and contribut...
Post a Comment
Read more

Reimagining Development Through Gender-Sensitive Ecosocial Work Practice

...For me, as a practicing social worker, this reaffirmed the value of embracing the unknown. Authentic narratives arise not only from what research already tells us, but from the discoveries we make when we step outside familiar frameworks and genuinely listen to voices that challenge, surprise, or even amuse us. The recent accounts of women in Bihar illustrate this powerfully—their lived experiences cut through political and academic assumptions, shaping a truly authentic, people-led narrative for change ." The 13th Indian Social Work Conference offered many powerful insights, but the session that stayed with me the most was the plenary on “Reimagining Development through Gender-Sensitive Ecosocial Work Practice.” I want to begin by acknowledging Dr. R. Nalini, Professor of Social Work at Pondicherry University , whose paper “Gender Suffering and Structural Inequality: An Ecosocial Analysis of Women in Substance-Affected Families” brought depth, clarity, and compassion to the...
Post a Comment
Read more