Lok Sabha Question No. 4891 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-31
Subject: Comprehensive Policy to promote AYUSH Medical Practices
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: S. Gnanathiraviam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4891 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31/03/2023

## COMPREHENSIVE POLICY TO PROMOTE AYUSH MEDICAL PRACTICES

## 4891.  SHRI GNANATHIRAVIAM S.:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  implement  any  comprehensive  policy  to promote AYUSH medical practices like Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether sufficient  infrastructure  is  not  available  in  the  country  to  promote  AYUSH medical education; and
- (d) if so, the action plan available with Government to strengthen the infrastructure?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF AYUSH (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a)  &  (b): The  Ministry  of  Ayush  is  implementing  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  of National  Ayush  Mission  (NAM)  through  State/UT  Governments for  development  & promotion  of  different  Ayush  Systems  including  Ayurveda,  Yoga  &  Naturopathy,  and providing  financial  assistance  to  them  as  per  the  proposal  received  in  their  State  Annual Action Plans (SAAPs). The National Ayush Mission (NAM) inter-alia makes provision for the following:-

- i. Ayush Health & Wellness Centres
- ii. Co-location of Ayush facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs)
- iii. Upgradation of existing standalone Government Ayush hospitals
- iv. Upgradation of existing Government/Panchayat/Government aided Ayush dispensaries/construction of building for existing Ayush dispensaries (rented/dilapidated accommodation)/construction of building to establish new Ayush dispensaries
- v. Setting up of upto 10/30/50 bedded integrated Ayush hospitals
- vi. Supply  of  essential  drugs/consumables  to  Government  Ayush  hospitals,  Government dispensaries and Government/Government aided teaching institutional Ayush hospitals
- vii. Ayush Public Health Programmes
- viii. Behaviour Change Communication (BCC)
- ix. Mobility support at State and District level
- x. Ayush Gram

- xi. Establishment of new Ayush colleges in the States where availability of Ayush teaching institutions is inadequate in Government sector
- xii. Infrastructural development of Ayush Under-Graduate institutions
- xiii. Infrastructural development of Ayush Post-Graduate institutions/add on PG/ Pharmacy/Para-Medical courses

State/UTs  may  avail  financial  assistance  by  submitting  proposals  through  State  Annual Actions Plans (SAAPs) as per the NAM guidelines. Under National Ayush Mission (NAM), Ministry  of  Ayush  is  implementing  the  operationalization  of  12,500  Ayush  Health  and Wellness Centers (HWCs) through State/UT Governments.

The  Ministry  is  also  implementing  a  Central  Sector  Scheme  for  Promotion  of  Information Education and Communication (IEC) in Ayush to create awareness regarding Ayush Systems of  Medicine  including  Ayush  medical  practices.  This  scheme  provides  assistance  for organizing National/State Arogya Fairs, Yoga Fests/Utsavs, Ayurveda Parvs and participating in  seminars,  exhibitions,  workshops,  conferences  etc.  The  Ministry  also  undertakes  Multi Media IEC Campaigns for creating awareness about Ayush Systems of Medicine including Ayush medical practices.

(c) & (d) : As on 01.04.2021, there are 789 Ayush colleges (including undergraduate and postgraduate  colleges)  in  the  country.  Out  of  these  789  colleges,  416  colleges  belong  to Ayurveda, 57 colleges belong to Unani, 13 colleges belong to Siddha, 49 colleges belong to Yoga & Naturopathy, 248 colleges belong to Homoeopathy and 6 colleges belong to Sowa Rigpa.

The  Ministry  through  its  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  National  Ayush  Mission  extends financial assistance to educational institutes through State/UT Governments. The educational standards in Ayush system of medicine has improved with the vigorous implementation of minimum standards.

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