Lok Sabha Question No. 1122 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-18
Subject: Treatment for Corona Virus
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Bhola Singh, Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, Vinod Kumar Sonkar, Raja Amareshwara Naik, Sukanta Majumdar, Jayanta Kumar Roy

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

(AYUSH)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1122 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 th SEPTEMBER, 2020

## TREATMENT FOR CORONA VIRUS

## 1122. SHRI BHOLA SINGH:

DR.JAYANTA KUMAR ROY:

SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR:

SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK:

DR.SUKANTA MAJUMDAR:

SHRIMATI SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Ayurveda, Yoga  and  Naturopathy, Unani,  Siddha  and  Homoeopathy (AYUSH) system ofmedicines have been very useful in management of COVID - 19 patients in the country, if so, the details thereof, State/UT -wise;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  approved  various treatment  k its  to  tackle  Corona  virus during the recent COVID - 19 pandemic in the country; if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  formed  an  expert commi tee  for  charting  protocols  for treatment and management of COVID- 19; and
- (d) if so, the detai ls thereof and the other steps being taken by the Government for cure of corona virus patients?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): The  AYUSH  system  of  medicine  is  useful  in  management  of  COVID - 19.  The guidelines for Registered Practitioners of respective system of AYUSH have been prepare by  Director  Generals  of  Research  Councils  and  Directors  of  National  Institutes  with team of experts and vetted by the Interdisciplinary AYUSH Research and Development Tas Force of Ministry of AYUSH. After obtaining approval of Cabinet Secretariat, these v guidelines are made available in public domain for the benefit of more than 700000 regi AYUSH practitioners to help in the management of COVID 19 pandemic unifo rmly.
- (b): Ministry of AYUSH has not approved any kits to tackle Corona Virus.

(c): Yes,  Ministry  of  AYUSH  has  formed  an  Inter - disciplinary  AYUSH  Research  and Development  Task  Force.  The  Task  Force  has  formulated  and  designed  clinical  resear protocols  for  prophylactic  studies  and  add - on  interventions  in  COVID -19  positive  cases throughthorough review and consultative process of experts of high repute from diffe organizations across the country for studying four different interventions viz. Ashwag Yashtimadhu, Guduchi + Pippali and a poly herbal formulation (AYUSH - 64).

(d): The other steps being taken by the Government for cure of corona virus patients under: -

- i. Ministry of AYUSH issued an advisory on 29.01.2020 on how to protect oneself from COVID and how to stay healthy. Ministry has also written a letter dated 06.03. 2020 to all Chief Secretaries of States / Union territories with more specific suggest augmentation of General Immunity of people and about possible AYUSH intervention. Ministry  has  also  issued  self - care  guidelines  on  31.03.2020  for  preventive  healt h measures and boosting immunity with special reference to respiratory health.
2. ii.Ministry  has  sent  a  D.O.  letter  dated  16.03.2020  to  Ministry  of  Health  &  Fam welfare offering for integrating and utilizing huge AYUSH infrastructure to com with the COVID 19 pandemic and also to Principals of all Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy (ASU&H) colleges (approximately 727 colleges) on 23.03.2020 for offering  their  services  to  local  health  authorities  for  utilization  of  the facilities by them as per the situation arises.
- iii. Ministry  of  AYUSH  in  collaboration  with  M/o  Health  &  Family  has  organized Training of Trainers for COVID - 19 Preparedness, Response and Containment.
4. iv.Ministry  of  AYUSH  issued  Gazette  notification  dated  21.04.2020  for  undertakin rese arch on COVID- 19 through Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy including prophylactic measures, intervention during the quarantine, asymptomatic a symptomatic  cases  of  COVID - 19.  Public  Health  Research,  Survey,  Lab  Based Research etc to generate evidence .
- v. Ayush  Sanjivani  mobile  app  developed  by  Ministry  of  AYUSH  has  been  also launched  to  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 population.
6. vi.Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), an autonomous body under the Ministry of AYUSH had deputed 30 Yoga Instructors at COVID Centre / Quarantine Centre under Govt. of NCT of Delhi to impart COVID - 19 patients & high risk groups from  15th  July,  2020 .    During  April  to  15 th July,  2020  MDNIY  conducted  online classes for general public wherein around 5 lakh people benefitted.