Lok Sabha Question No. 3437 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-08
Subject: Impact of AYUSH Schemes on SC/ST/OBC Beneficiaries
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Adv. Chandra Shekhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3437 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2025

## Impact of AYUSH Schemes on SC/ST/OBC Beneficiaries

3437. Adv. Chandra Shekhar:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

(a)  the  details  of  data  maintained  by  the  Government  regarding  the  outcomes  of  AYUSH schemes  for  SC/ST/OBC  groups  specifically  in  terms  of  disease  burden  and  healthcare accessibility;

(b)  whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  for  systematic  studies,  impact  assessments  or third-party  evaluations  in  order  to  further  improve  the  effectiveness  of  these  initiatives  for SC/ST/OBC beneficiaries; and

(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a)  Ministry  of  Ayush  is  implementing  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  i.e.  National  Ayush Mission  (NAM)  through  State/UT  Governments  for  entire  population  of  the  country including SC/ST/OBC groups. Under NAM, there is separate budget heads to release Grantin-aid under SCSP and TSP categories. However, to avail the grants, suitable proposals are required  to  be  submitted  by  the  State/UT  Governments  through  State  Annual  Action  Plan (SAAP) as per the provisions of NAM guideline. Details of major provisions under NAM are enclosed  as Annexure-I. Public  Health  being  a  State  Subject,  the  primary  responsibility regarding implementation of the scheme including maintenance of data & enhancing Ayush health care accessibility comes under the purview of respective State Government.

(b)  & (c)   Further, in  order to  improve the effectiveness of  various initiatives  under NAM scheme for the benefit of entire population of the country including  SC/ST/OBC beneficiaries,  field  visits  by  the  Central  team,  one  to  one  meetings,  Regional  Review Meetings are also carried out apart from third party evaluations and NABH assessment. It has been observed by visiting teams that footfall of the beneficiaries visiting to Ayush facilities including AAM (Ayush) has been subsequently increased after Strengthening & upgradation of these facilities. In case of AAM (Ayush) substantial increase in the footfall of patients has been  observed  because,  in  addition  to  OPD  services,  these  facilities  are  also  providing

various other services like Prakriti Parikshan, Yoga related activities at the level of facility as well as community, awareness about uses of common medicinal plants etc. Further, State/UT Governments have been suggested by the visiting team for appropriate training & capacity building of AAM (Ayush) team, strengthening of referral linkages with other public health facilities,  effective  involvement  of  field  level  workers  specially  ASHAs  etc.  for  better outcome of the activities being conducted through different Health facilities including AAM (Ayush).

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## Annexure-I .

## The National Ayush Mission (NAM) has provision for following major activities:

(i)  Operationalization  of  Ayush  Health  &  Wellness  Centres  (AHWCs),  now  renamed  as Ayushman  Arogya  Mandir  (Ayush),  by  upgrading  existing  Ayush  dispensaries  and  Sub health 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 Dispensary (Rented/dilapidated accommodation) /Construction of building to establish new Ayush Dispensary.

(v) Setting up of 10/30/50 bedded integrated Ayush Hospitals.

(vi) Supply of essential drugs to Government Ayush Hospitals, Government Dispensaries and Government/Government aided Teaching Institutional Ayush Hospitals.

(vii) Ayush Public Health Programs.

(viii) Establishment of new Ayush colleges in the States where availability of Ayush teaching institutions is inadequate in Government Sector.

(ix)  Infrastructural  development  of  Ayush  Under-Graduate  Institutions  and  Ayush  PostGraduate Institutions/add on PG/ Pharmacy/Para-Medical Courses.

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