The 3rd Joint Working Group (JWG) Meeting on Alternative Medicine, attended by the Ministry of Ayush from India and the Federal Ministry of Health from Germany, took place in Berlin from 18 to 20 November 2025. This meeting marked a significant stride in enhancing cooperation between the two nations in the domain of traditional and integrative healthcare.
The Indian delegation, led by Ms. Monalisha Dash, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, comprised notable members including Prof. (Dr.) Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General of CCRAS; Dr. Subhash Kaushik, Director General of CCRH; Dr. Koustabha Upadhyay from the Ministry of Ayush; and Dr. Kashinath Samagandi, Director of MDNY. Their engagement with prominent German institutions aimed to explore pragmatic avenues for collaboration.
German representatives, including Paul Zubeil, Head of Division for European and International Health Policy, and Prof. Dr. med. Georg Seifert from Charité Berlin, engaged in substantial discussions with the Indian delegation. The meeting revolved around three pivotal themes: integrating traditional medicine into public health systems, creating reimbursement pathways to enhance patient access, and reinforcing regulatory approval mechanisms.
These themes underscore the mutual dedication of both nations to promote evidence-based, patient-centric practices in traditional medicine. The discussions aimed not only to share knowledge but also to create frameworks that facilitate the seamless integration of traditional medical practices into the existing healthcare systems in both countries.
Engagements with key institutions such as the Competence Center for Traditional and Integrative Medicine at Charité University focused on collaborative research opportunities. The delegation also visited the Community Hospital Havelhöhe, specialized in anthroposophic medicine, to review integrative care practices and research methodologies.
Further discussions at the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) tackled insurance and reimbursement mechanisms pertinent to traditional medicine, emphasizing the need for structured financial support for these practices. Such initiatives aim to ensure that patients can access alternative medical solutions without financial barriers, enhancing the overall efficacy and reach of traditional medicine.
The Ministry of Ayush has emphasized its commitment to globalizing Ayush systems and establishing robust frameworks for evidence-based integration. The meeting in Berlin exemplifies this strategy, aiming to forge international partnerships that elevate India’s presence in the global traditional medicine sector.
Recognizing the crucial role of sustained collaboration with Germany, officials noted that such partnerships will catalyze research initiatives, facilitate regulatory harmonization, and ultimately improve patient access to integrative healthcare solutions grounded in safety, quality, and scientific validation.
This collaboration stands to benefit not just the respective nations, but holds potential for enhancing global health standards through shared expertise in traditional medical practices.
In conclusion, the 3rd JWG Meeting signifies a robust commitment to advancing traditional medicine not only in India and Germany but as a catalyst for global integration of alternative healthcare practices.
