Lok Sabha Question No. 4807 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-23
Subject: Bridge Course for AYUSH Doctors
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: AJAY (TENI) MISRA, SHOBHA KARANDLAJE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH)

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 4807 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD MARCH, 2018

## B RIDGE COURSE FOR AYU SH DOCTORS

## 4807. SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI: SHRI BHARAT SINGH: KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

Will the Minister of AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to conduct a bridge course for AYUSH doctors to all them t o practice allopathy to address the shortage of doctors in the country and if so, t thereof;
- (b) the norms fixed for determining the qualification and scientific temperament of doct pass the bridge course and the time by which such a bridge course for AYUSH doctors is l to be started;
- (c) whether it is a fact that AYUSH and modern me dicine have distinct approaches and methods of practice and cannot be merged and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  plans  to  integrate  AYUSH  as  a  complementary  aspect  of  th modern  system,  as  Ayurveda  is  based  on  the  principle  of  harm ony  and  balancing  of  three Doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha; and
- (e) if so, whether the Government plans to reconsider the concerns of Ayurveda practit with regard to undertake a short bridge course and receive an official licence to practic m edicine?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

- (a)& (b ) : Under National Health Mission ( NHM ) , a Bridge Programme in Community Health for Nurses was designed and developed with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). Subsequently, a common Bridge Programme for Nurses and Ayurveda practitioners was approved by IGNOU. The Bridge Course has already been rolled out in States as per proposal received from States.

Contd……..

The  Ayurveda practitioners and  Staff  Nurses  after  being  trained  in  primary  care  and public Health competencies through the bridge course are envisaged to be placed as Mid -Level care providers in Sub Health Centres to be strengthened as Health and wellness Centres.

(c)to(e) : AYUSH and modern systems of medicinehave distinct approaches and methods of practice. However, there are areas in public health where these systems of medicine can f in  mutual  co - existence  in  an  integrated  manner. The  National  Policy  o n  Indian  Systems  of Medicine  &  Homoeopathy - 2002,  envisages  integration  of  AYUSH  with  the  Healthcare Delivery  System including  Ayurveda .  Mainstreaming  of  AYUSH  is  one  of  the  strategies  in National  Health  Mission  (NHM)  as  well  which  seeks  to  provide  access ible,  affordable  and quality health care in order to improve the existing health care delivery system. Accordingly, he Central Government adopted a strategy of c o- l cation of AYUSH facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHC s) and District Hospitals (DHs), thus enabling choice to the patients  for different systems of medicines under single window. The engagement of AYUSH Doctors/ paramedics and their training are supported by the Department of Health Family Welfare, while t he support for AYUSH infrastructure, equipment/ furniture and medicines are provided by Ministry of AYUSH under shared responsibilities.

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