VMMC–Safdarjung Hospital partners with CCRAS-CARI to advance integrative menopause care research

New Delhi, November 19: In a push to strengthen women’s healthcare through integrative medicine, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) & Safdarjung Hospital signed an MoU on Tuesday with the Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI), under the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush. The partnership aims to develop evidence-based Ayurvedic interventions that complement modern medical approaches to menopause.

Menopause often brings symptoms such as hot flushes, insomnia, fatigue, vaginal dryness, mood swings, anxiety and memory issues. Growing demand for safe and supportive treatment options has increased interest in holistic and natural therapies. The new MoU seeks to create scientifically validated, safe and effective protocols that combine traditional Ayurveda with contemporary clinical practice.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital director Sandeep Bansal said judicious integration of Ayurveda with allopathic medicine could benefit many women experiencing menopausal challenges. He emphasised that certain Ayurvedic formulations containing metals must be administered strictly under expert supervision to ensure safety and therapeutic efficacy.

CARI incharge Hemanta Panigrahi noted that CCRAS has long championed scientific research in Ayurveda and that the Ayurveda Unit at Safdarjung Hospital—functional since 1996—has played a key role in patient care and collaborative studies. “Evidence-based Ayurveda is gaining global acceptance, and this partnership will help strengthen integrative research while improving public healthcare delivery,” he said.

The collaboration will focus on designing clinical research models, enhancing research capacity and improving access to holistic health solutions for women. The project details were presented by principal investigator Shivshankar Rajput and professor Upma Saxena, in the presence of medical superintendent Charu Bamba, alongside Shweta Mata and Ashima Jain.

Officials said the MoU reflects a shared commitment between VMMC–Safdarjung Hospital and the Ministry of Ayush to advance patient-centric, collaborative healthcare and elevate standards in integrative research for women’s wellness.