The Ministry of Ayush has outlined a strategy to expand Sowa Rigpa, the traditional Himalayan system of medicine, through formal education, research and healthcare development. Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, made this call at a national workshop in Leh, emphasising the need to build institutional capacity and international recognition for the medical system.
Sowa Rigpa, the traditional medicine system of the Himalayan region, was officially recognised as a system of medicine by the Indian government. The Ministry is now working to strengthen it during this post-recognition phase by addressing gaps in education, standardisation and documentation.
Key facts
- Three-day National Workshop on “Scope and Challenges of Sowa Rigpa Post-Recognition” held in Leh
- Organised by the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa (NISR), Leh
- Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha is Secretary, Ministry of Ayush
- Dr. Padma Gurmet is Director, National Institute of Sowa Rigpa
- Dr. Tenzin Kunphel chairs the Central Council of Tibetan Medicine, Dharamsala
- Participants included experts, scholars, practitioners, and students from the Himalayan region
- Workshop was held at New Academic Building, Saboo Thang, Leh
- Event coordinated with National Ayurveda Day celebrations
What Sowa Rigpa is and why it matters
Sowa Rigpa is the traditional medical system of Tibet and the Himalayan region, with a history spanning centuries. It combines theory and practice based on unique understanding of the body, disease and treatment using herbs, minerals and other natural substances. The system has been practised in Ladakh and other trans-Himalayan areas for generations but lacked formal government recognition until recently. Its official recognition places it on equal footing with other traditional systems such as Ayurveda and Unani medicine in India’s healthcare framework.
Areas needing strengthening
According to the Ayush Secretary, five core areas require urgent attention. Education in Sowa Rigpa needs structured curriculum and qualified teachers to produce skilled practitioners. Research remains limited, with few studies documenting the system’s clinical effectiveness or scientific basis. Healthcare delivery through Sowa Rigpa practitioners needs to be formalised and regulated. Documentation of traditional knowledge, much of which exists only in ancient texts and oral traditions, must be preserved systematically. Standardisation of medicines, treatments and training standards is essential to ensure consistency and safety across institutions.
The workshop agenda
The three-day gathering brought together diverse stakeholders including academics, government officials, students and practitioners from across the Himalayan region. Technical sessions examined institutional development needed to support Sowa Rigpa institutes, how education programmes should be designed, research directions for the future, proper healthcare delivery models, methods to preserve traditional knowledge, and ways to standardise practices. The discussions aimed to identify both opportunities and obstacles in building Sowa Rigpa into a robust, recognised system comparable to other traditional medicine systems already established in India.
International expansion as a goal
The Ministry sees wider national and international recognition as crucial for Sowa Rigpa’s growth. This means not just promoting the system within India, but also positioning it globally as a legitimate healthcare option. To achieve this, the system requires documented evidence of effectiveness, standardised training, quality assurance of medicines, and academic credibility through research publications. The workshop addressed how these elements can be developed in partnership with institutions and universities.
What this means for students and practitioners
For students pursuing Sowa Rigpa, the Ministry’s push for stronger education and research opens new career pathways. Improved institutional frameworks should lead to better-resourced colleges and teaching hospitals. For current practitioners, standardisation and formalisation should enhance their professional standing and earning potential. For the general public, particularly in Ladakh and surrounding areas where Sowa Rigpa is traditionally practised, this could improve access to regulated, high-quality treatment options based on their traditional healthcare heritage.
Practical steps forward
Beyond discussion, the workshop included a visit to the Trans-Himalayan Herbal Garden at Phey, where participants observed medicinal plants grown and preserved for use in Sowa Rigpa medicines. This practical exposure linked the academic discussions to the botanical foundation of the medical system, reinforcing the connection between traditional knowledge and contemporary learning approaches.