Pune: Pune-based Ayurveda practitioner and researcher Dr Ishani Bendale has taken the discussion on Ayurveda’s potential role in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, highlighting the need for rigorous scientific research to assess the contribution of traditional medicine to global healthcare.Bendale participated in discussions with WHO experts during a visit to the headquarters as part of an Oxford University delegation, said a statement issued by the researcher. She emphasised the importance of evidence-based research to explore how Ayurveda could contribute to addressing global health challenges, particularly antimicrobial resistance, which poses a growing threat to public health worldwide.The visit comes amid increasing international interest in evaluating traditional systems of medicine through scientific research and exploring their potential contribution to healthcare. During her Geneva visit, Bendale also visited United Nations Office and won a knowledge-based quiz competition organised for the Oxford University delegation.Bendale holds an MSc degree in Nanomedicine from the Medical School at Swansea University and has been selected as a ‘Champion’ by the British Society for Nanomedicine. She has also completed an MSc at the University of Oxford and is currently pursuing a DPhil (PhD) at the university. She is described as the first Ayurveda practitioner to gain admission to Oxford University and complete an MSc degree there.Her work extends beyond healthcare research to international affairs, diplomacy and science communication. She has participated in three consecutive sessions of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women — CSW68, CSW69 and CSW70 — engaging with international discussions on gender equality and women’s empowerment.Bendale currently serves as Director of Engagement at the Oxford Union, one of the world’s leading debating societies. In this role, she engages with prominent speakers and public figures, contributes to interviews and discussions, and helps bring the institution’s debates to a wider audience.As part of her engagement at the Oxford Union, she interviewed Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales. Their discussion included the availability of Ayurveda-related information on Wikipedia and the terminology used to describe the traditional medical system. Wales expressed his willingness to connect her with an expert specialising in scientific topics on the platform to facilitate a more detailed discussion.Bendale has also contributed to the Oxford Model United Nations India initiative, serving as Director of the World Health Organization Committee in 2024 and 2025. In 2026, she took on the role of Director-General and also served as Director of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women Committee.Through her work across Ayurveda, nanomedicine, evidence-based healthcare and international engagement, Bendale continues to explore opportunities to connect traditional medical knowledge with scientific research and global health discussions.
