Lok Sabha Question No. 1579 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Post COVID-19 Diseases
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Queen Oja

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1579 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH  FEBRUARY, 2023

## POST COVID-19 DISEASES

## 1579. SHRIMATI QUEEN OJA:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is an increase in the post COVID-19 diseases in the country and abroad due to ill effects of the pandemic;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has any data pertaining to such post COVID-19 diseases;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government considers the systems of medicines like Ayurveda, Unani, Yoga, Homoeopathy as an effective medicines to prevent from post COVID-19 diseases; and
- (f) if so, the steps taken/to be taken by the Government to promote the said systems of medicines in this regard?

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

(a)  and  (b):  As  per  National  Comprehensive  Guidelines  for  Management  of  Post-COVID Sequelae of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, Post-COVID Syndrome by  consensus  is  defined  as  signs  and  symptoms  that  develop  during  or  after  an  infection consistent  with  COVID-19  which  continue  for  more  than  12  weeks  and  are  not  explained  by alternative diagnosis. Detailed guideline is available at -https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/NationalComprehensiveGuidelinesforManagementofPostCovidS equelae.pdf .

This  syndrome  is  characterized  by  symptoms  such  as  fatigue  (58%),  headache  (44%), attention  disorder  (27%),  hair  loss  (25%),  and  dyspnea  (24%)  at  15  to  110  days  post-viral infection.  Indian data on 383 Post-Covid participants suggest the presence of fatigue (45.8%), breathlessness (37.5%), headache (8.3%), muscle pain (33.3%) etc. at 6weeks to 3 months postinfection. [Source https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33532785 ]

(c) and (d):  As per the available information, There is no any direct study to state as to whether COVID-19 pandemic has increased the incidence of other diseases. The  WHO has reported a noticeable surge of 25% in global prevalence of anxiety and stress during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. [Source -https://www.who.int/news/item/02-03-2022-covid-19pandemic-triggers-25-increase-in prevalence-of-anxiety-and-depression-worldwide]

(e)  and  (f):  Yes  Sir.  Government of India has also released 'National Clinical Management Protocol based on Ayurveda and Yoga for management of COVID-19' prepared by National Task force. It includes guidelines for prophylaxis, management of asymptomatic, mild COVID19 cases and post-COVID management.

Ministry of Ayush has also released Ayush recommendations for the public on holistic health and well-being Preventive measures and care during COVID-19 & LONG COVID-19. It includes Ayush recommendations for Post COVID-19.

National Institutes and Research Councils under Ministry of Ayush has taken following steps to prevent post COVID-19 diseases -

- i. All  India  Institute  of  Ayurveda,  New  Delhi  has  established  a  special  Out  Patient Department (OPD) to treat patients with Post COVID-19 diseases and are being treated successfully  at  OPD  level  with  oral  medications  and  In  Patient  Department  (IPD) treatment with required Panchakarma therapies.
- ii. Central  Council  for  Research  in  Ayurvedic  Sciences  (CCRAS)  has  undertaken  one clinical study on Ayurvedic interventions (Agastya Haritaki and Ashwagandha) and Yoga in long term effects of COVID-19. The study is completed and analysis of the study data is under process.
- iii. Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) has undertaken research studies on  homeopathic treatment  of  post  COVID-19  illnesses  in  general,  respiratory  sequelae etc. in post COVID cases.

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