Lok Sabha Question No. 2110 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-23
Subject: Traditional Health Knowledge and Epidemic Management
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: N.K. Premachandran, Annpurna Devi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2110 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD SEPTEMBER, 2020

## TRADITIONAL HEALTH K NOWLEDGE AND EPIDEMI C MANAGEMENT

## 2110. SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN: SHRIMATI ANNPURNA DEVI:

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

(a)  whether  the  Government  utilized  the  traditional health  knowledge  and  epidemic management to contain and prevent COVID - 19, if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of the role of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy in the management of COVID -19;

(c) whether the Government has utilized the traditional health practices and immunisation modulation in management of COVID - 19, if so, the details thereof;

(d)  whether  the  modern  medicine  practioners agree/concur  with  the  assessment  and management ofCOVID -19 under AYUSH;

(e) whether the Government proposes to provi de awareness to the general public regarding themanagement of COVID- 19 under AYUSH, if so, the details thereof; and

(f) whether it has come to the notice of the Government that modern medicine practioners opposethe management of COVID - 19 under AYUSH and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

(a) to (e): Yes. (i )Ministry  of  AYUSH  issued  an  advisory  on  29.01.2020  on  how  to  pro oneself from COVID and how to stay healthy. Ministry has also written a letter dated 0 all Chief Secretaries of States / Union territories with more specific suggestions on ugmentation of General Immunity of people and about possible AYUSH intervention. Ministry has also is -care guidelines on 31.03.2020 for preventive health measures and boosting immunity wi reference to respiratory health.

- (ii) Ministry h as sent a D.O. letter dated 16.03.2020 to Ministry of Health   & Famil offering  for  integrating  and  utilizing  huge  AYUSH  infrastructure  to  combat COVID19 pandemic and also to Principals of all Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeo (ASU& H) colleges (approximately 727 colleges) on 23.03.2020 for offering their s local health authorities for utilization of the available facilities by them as arises.
- (iii)Ministry of AYUSH in collaboration with M/o Health & Fami ly has organized Training of Trainers for COVID - 19 Preparedness, Response and Containment.
- (iv)Ministry of AYUSH issued Gazette notification dated 21.04.2020 for undertaking r COVID - 19  through  Ayurveda,  Siddha,  Unani  and  Homeopathy  including  pr ophylactic measures,  intervention  during  the  quarantine,  asymptomatic  and  symptomatic  c COVID - 19. Public Health Research, Survey, Lab Based Research etc to generate evid
- (v) Ministry of AYUSH has formed an Inter - disciplinary  AYUSH  R&D  Task  Forc e. The Task Force  has  formulated  and  designed  clinical  research  protocols  for  prophylactic add- on interventions in COVID - 19 positive cases through review and consultative proce experts  of  high  repute  from  different  organizations  across  the country  for  studying  four different interventions viz. Ashwagandha, Yashtimadhu, Guduchi + Pippali and a po formulation (AYUSH - 64).
- (vi)Ministry  of  AYUSH  has  launched  Clinical  research  studies  on  AYUSH  interventio prophylactic interventions for Covid- 19 in high risk population, through Research Counc and National Institutes under Ministry of AYUSH.
- (vii) Ayush Sanjivani mobile app developed by Ministry of AYUSH has also been launch generate  data  on  acceptance  and  usage  of  AYUSH  advocacies  and measures  among  the population and its impact in prevention of COVID - 19 targeting 05 million populations.
- (f)     No.