NEW DELHI, INDIA — The Ministry of Ayush, Government of India has finalized a high-level review to integrate Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani (ASU) systems into the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI). Following a WHO memorandum, this initiative establishes a “National Health Intervention Codes (NHIC)” framework, designed to replace regional variations with a uniform,,, scientific coding system. For practitioners, this standardization enables streamlined clinical research, international insurance integration, and improved electronic health data exchange.
Key Developments and Structure
The review, chaired by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, introduced a four-level hierarchical coding matrix developed by national research councils like the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS). This structure, ranging from broad domains to granular therapeutic actions, allows for precise,, coding of traditional procedures. Expert input from institutions such as the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) ensures high accuracy in the definitions of thousands of procedures.
Clinical Impact and Future Scope
The NHIC framework allows for easier integration of traditional medicine into modern, insurance billing systems, reducing administrative barriers. The finalized framework will be formally reviewed in a WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) workshop in July 2026, serving as a blueprint for global integration. These codes are set to be incorporated into national digital healthcare infrastructure, including the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
