Lok Sabha Question No. 809 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-05
Subject: Treatment of COVID-19 using AYUSH drugs
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Chunni Lal Sahu, Mohan Mandavi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 809 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 TH February, 2021

## TREATMENT OF COVID - 19 USING AYUSH DRUGS

## 809. SHRI CHUNNI LAL SAHU: SHRI MOHAN MANDAVI:

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

- (a) the extent of success achieved so far in the efforts to find treatment for 'COVID -19' with the help of remedies/drugs of AYUSH;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to take care of people during the COVID - 19 crisis; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS AND ADDITIONAL CHARGE OF MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE

## MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) & (b): The Interdisciplinary AYUSH Research and Development Task Force constituted by Ministry  of  AYUSH has  formulated  and  designed  clinical  research  protocols  for  prophy studies  and  add - on  interventions  in  COVID - 19  positive  cases  through  thorough  review  an d consultative process of experts of high repute from different organizations across the studying four different interventions viz. Ashwagandha, Yashtimadhu, Guduchi + Pippal poly herbal formulation (AYUSH - 64).The task force have taken u p the proposals received from screening committees of Councils and proactively explored possibilities based on availa
- (c) & (d): Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India has taken the following steps to tak people during the COVID - 19 cri sis: -
- i. Ministry  of  AYUSH  issued  an  advisory  on  29.01.2020  on  how  to  protect  oneself COVID and how to stay healthy. Ministry has written letter to all Chief Secretaries of Sta / Union territories with more specific suggestions on augmentation of General Immun people  and  about  possible  AYUSH  intervention.  Ministry  has  also  issued  sel -care guidelines  on  31.03.2020  for  preventive  health  measures  and  boosting  immunity special r eference to respiratory health.
- ii. Guidelines  for  Registered  Practitioners  of  respective  system  of  AYUSH  (inc Ayurveda  and  Homoeopathy)  have  been  prepared  by  Research  Councils  and  Nationa Institutes with their team of experts and same is vetted by the Interdisciplinary AYUSH Research and Development Task Force of Ministry of AYUSH. These vetted guidelines made available in public domain for the benefit of more than 700000 registered practitioners to help in the management of COVID 19 pandemic uniformly.
- iii.Ministry of AYUSH has developed AYUSH Sanjivani mobile app and has documented the impact  assessment  of  effectiveness,  acceptance  and  usage  of  AYUSH  advisorie measures  in  the  prevention  of  COVID - 19  through  Mobile  app  base  population  study  in around 1.5 crores respondents. 85 . 1% of the respondents reported use of AYUSH measures for prevention of COVID - 19, among which 89. 8% respondents agreed to have benefitted from  the  practice  of  AYUSH  advisory . 79. 1% of  the  users  responded  that  the  AYUSH measures  gave  an  overall  feeling  of  good  health . 63. 4% reported  improvement  in parameters of wellbeing like sleep, appetite, bowel habits ,stamin  and mental wellbeing .
- iv. Ministry of AYUSH and MoHFW have jointly provided training to 33,000 AYUSH master trainers. Total 66045 AYUSH Personnel has also obtained training at igot.in platfo continual  basis.  Ministry  of  AYUSH  has  coordinated  with  MoHFW  for  utilisatio AYUSH manpower as COVID warrior for the management of COVID -19 with identified roles. Total 1056 81 AYUSH Personnel has been trained by State AYUSH Directorates and total 39555 AYUSH Personnel are deployed for Covid - 19.
- v. Considering  the  importance  of  immunity  boosting  measures  in  the  wake  of  COVID - 19 outbreak,  Ministry  of  AYUSH  has  promoted  use  of  read y- made  Ayush  formulation  i.e. 'Ayush Kwath' (Ayurveda) or 'Ayush Kudineer' (Siddha) or 'Ayush Joshanda'(Unani) in the interest of health promotion to the masses.
- vi. Ministry of AYUSH has issued an order on 28.07.2020 regarding directions to state/UT licensing Authorities  to  forward  license  application  of  Ayurveda,  Siddha,  Unan Homoeopathic medicines underwent clinical trial/ research studies for COVID - 19.
- vii.Ministry  of  AYUSH  advised  to  States/UTs  to  assign  the  AYUSH  facilities  under administrative con trol for supporting the treatment of the Covid 19 patients.