Lok Sabha Question No. 2140 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-23
Subject: Traditional Indian Medicine System to Counter COVID
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2140 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD SEPTEMBER, 2020

## TRADITIONAL INDIAN M EDICINE SYSTEM TO CO UNTER COVID

## 2140. SHRI T.R.BAALU :

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

- (a) whether India is set to surpass Brazil as second highe t Covid affected Nation, as the total number hasalready crossed 41 lakhs;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the measures proposed to be taken by the Government to address the situation;
- (c) whether the Government would seriously contemplate the traditional Siddha, Ayurvedic and other Indian methods to boost immunity among the people all over the country;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): In absolute number of COVID - 19 cases, India has so far reported 55,62,663 cases as compared to Brazil which has reported 45,44,629 cases. However in terms of c per million population, Brazil has 21380 cases per million population, which is 5 tim of India (4031 cases per million population, as on 22 nd September 2020).

Government of India has taken a series of actions to prevent, control and mitiga impact of COVID - 19. India followed a whole of Government and whole of society approach. Hon'ble  Prime  Minister,  a  High  level  Group  of  Ministers  (GoM),  Cabinet  Secreta ry, Committee of Secretaries and senior officers in MoHFW continue to monitor public hea response to COVID - 19 in the country.

The  public  health  actions  were  taken  in  a  pre -emptive,  pro - active,  graded  manner based on the evolving scenario. A number of travel advisories were issued restricting inflow of international travelers, till such time, commercial flights were suspended on 23rd 2020. Till then, a total of 14,154 flights with 15,24,266 passengers have been scre these  airports.  Screen ing  was  also  done  at  12  major  and  65  minor  ports  and  land  border crossings.  In  the  initial  part  of  the  pandemic,  India  evacuated  a  large  number  of passengers  from  then  COVID  affected  countries  (China,  Italy,  Iran,  Japan,  Malaysia) again in the un- lockdown phase, a total of 13,76,090 passengers have been brought back (a reported on 20th September, 2020) and followed up.

Integrated  Disease  Surveillance  Programme  (IDSP)  is  conducting  contact  traci through community surveillance. In the earlier part of the pandemic, this was done for travel related  cases  and  subsequently  for  cases  being  reported  from  community  as  a  part containment strategy. As on 20th September 2020, a total of about 40 lakh persons have kept under surveillance. India i s testing is about 1 million samples a day. A total of 6.43 cr samples have been tested so far (as on 20th September 2020).

As  on  21st  September,  2020,  a  total  of  15,373  COVID  treatment  facilities  wi 13,18,826  dedicated  isolation  bed  without  O2  suppo rt  have  been  created.  Also,  a  total  of 2,35,901 oxygen supported isolation beds and 64,868 ICU beds (including 32,792 ventil beds).Guidelines  on  Clinical  management  of  COVID - 19  have  been  issued  and  are  being updated regularly.

States are being supported in terms of supply of logistics. So far 1.42 Crore Kits, 3.45 crores N - 95 masks, 10.84 crore tablets of Hydroxychloroquine, 30,841 ventilator and  1,02,400  oxygen  cylinders  have  been  supplied  to  States/UTs/  Central  Governm ent hospitals so far (as reported on 20th September, 2020).

Various  cadres  of  personnel  and  volunteers  across  sectors  and  departments COVID related worksand maintenance of other essential medical services have been worke out,  trained  throughresource s  made  available  on  the  website  of  MoHFW,  iGOT  (online platform) by DOPT (https://igot.gov.in/igot/).

MoHFW website is being daily to provide general public with information on curre status  of  COVID - 19  spread  in  India.  Communication  material  is  also  bei ng  h sted  on MoHFW website and through social media. A dedicated call centre / helpline (1075) has b started to guide community at large which are being used by the citizens very effectiv on a regular basis.

More than 30 vaccine candidates have been supported which are in different stages of development, 3 candidates are in advanced stage of Phase I/II/III trials and more than advanced pre -clinical development stage. A National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID - 19 has been constituted on 7th August, 2020, under NITI Ayog. Thirteen  clinical  trials  of  repurposed  drugs  have  been  undertaken  to  build  a  portf therapeutic options for Covid - 19 patients.

( c)to ( e) : 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  d 06.03.2020  to  all  Chief  Secretaries  of  States  /  Union  territories  with  more  s suggestions  on  augmentation  of  General  Immunity  of  people  and  about  pos sible  AYUSH intervention. Ministry has also issued self - care guidelines on 31.03.2020 for preventive health measures and boosting immunity with special reference to respiratory health.