Empowering Health: Government to ‘Formally Recognise’ 1 Lakh Tribal Healers as Vital Partners in Health Services
Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram announced a new initiative aimed at formally recognizing one lakh tribal healers from Scheduled Tribe communities across India during a capacity-building programme held in Hyderabad on January 16, 2026. This initiative is part of the Union Government’s strategy to strengthen health services within tribal communities by integrating traditional knowledge and practices into formal healthcare systems.
During his address, Minister Oram urged State governments to establish market linkages and partnerships with fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and pharmaceutical companies, enabling livelihood opportunities for tribal healers specializing in traditional medicine. He emphasized that technical sessions led by experts from reputable institutions like AIIMS, the World Health Organisation, and the AYUSH Ministry would enhance the capabilities of these healers, improving service delivery in their communities.
A significant highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the ICMR–Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar. This agreement aims to establish India’s first National Tribal Health Observatory, known as the Bharat Tribal Health Observatory. This collaboration will focus on tribe-specific health surveillance and research-driven initiatives addressing diseases such as malaria, leprosy, and tuberculosis, which have historically been poorly documented in tribal health data.
The capacity-building programme attracted representatives from various medical and research institutions, state officials, and around 400 tribal healers from diverse regions. Attendees engaged in technical sessions covering the status of tribal health, research initiatives, orientation for tribal healers on public health systems, and best practices in both global and Indian healthcare contexts. The dialogues underscored the vital role tribal healers play in preventive healthcare and their potential inclusion in the primary healthcare system.
Ranjana Chopra, Secretary of the Tribal Affairs Ministry, addressed the gathering, highlighting the aspirations for dignity and recognition of tribal healers. She stressed the importance of mechanisms that ensure the inter-generational transmission of traditional knowledge and the preservation of rare medicinal plants. Chopra characterized the government’s initiative as a crucial effort to eliminate diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and leprosy in tribal areas.
Further supporting this initiative, Additional Secretary Manish Thakur noted that tribal healers have earned generations of trust within their communities; however, systemic barriers still restrict the accessibility of formal healthcare. Engaging these trusted figures can significantly enhance last-mile service delivery, bringing healthcare closer to those in need.
Telangana’s Tribal Welfare Minister, Adluri Laxman Kumar, also addressed the audience, advocating for the strengthening of Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres in tribal-dominated regions. He called for a clearer articulation of tribal development priorities at the national level, reinforcing the need for targeted health interventions.
This initiative represents a pivotal step towards integrating traditional healing practices into the wider health ecosystem and improving health outcomes in India’s tribal belt, where access to formal healthcare remains challenging.
Published – January 17, 2026, 08:52 am IST.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/government-aims-to-formally-recognise-1-lakh-tribal-healers-from-sts-as-partners-in-health-services/article70515477.ece
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Publish Date: 2026-01-17 08:52:00
