Lok Sabha Question No. 3580 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: National AYUSH Mission in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Malaiyarasan D

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QU  ESTION NO. 3580 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2025

## National AYUSH Mission in Tamil Nadu

## 3580 Shri Malaiyarasan D:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the National AYUSH Mission (NAM) and the number of AYUSH hospitals, dispensaries and wellness centers established in Tamil Nadu so far;

(b)  the  amount  of  financial  assistance  allocated  to  Tamil  Nadu  under  the  National  AYUSH Mission  and  the  details  of  specific  projects  undertaken  to  promote  traditional  systems  of medicine in the State, especially in Kallakurichi district;

(c)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  integrate  AYUSH  systems  into  the  mainstream healthcare system in Tamil Nadu and its impact on healthcare accessibility and affordability in the State, stream-wise;

(d) whether the Government plan to improve the infrastructure, training and capacity-building efforts  for  AYUSH  professionals  under  the  National  AYUSH  Mission  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and

(e)  the  details  of  the  measures  being  taken  to  promote  research  and  innovation  in  AYUSH systems and the manner in which the State is benefitting from the research initiatives under the National AYUSH Mission?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) & (b) Ministry of Ayush is implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Ayush Mission  (NAM)  through  State/UT  Governments  for  overall  development  and  promotion  of Ayush  systems  across  the  country  through  States/UTs  including  Tamil  Nadu.  Under  NAM, Ministry  of  Ayush  supports  the  efforts  of  State/UT  Governments  by  providing  financial assistance to them under different activities as per the provision of NAM guidelines against their submitted State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs). The Mission inter-alia makes provision for the following activities: -

(i)  Operationalization of Ayush Health and Wellness Centres 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 in the area where there are no Ayush facilities available.

(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 Programmes.

(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.

As  reported  by  State  Government  of  Tamil  Nadu,  295  Ayush  hospitals  and  1238 dispensaries  are  functional.  Further,  Ministry  of Ayush  has  approved  650  Ayush  Health  and Wellness Centre now renamed as Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush) in the State of Tamil Nadu by upgrading existing Ayush dispensaries as per proposals received from State Government of Tamil Nadu through SAAPs under NAM. Under NAM, an amount of Rs. 248.97 crore has been released to State Government of Tamil Nadu for different activities from 2014-15 to till date as per  proposals  received  through  SAAPs.  Further,  as  per  the  proposal  received  from  State Government of Tamil Nadu, 13  Ayushman Arogya Mandir  (Ayush) have been approved in Kallakurichi district.

(c) Government of India has adopted a strategy of Co-location of Ayush facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs), thus enabling the choice to the patients for different systems of medicines under a single window. The engagement of Ayush doctors/ paramedics and their training is supported by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare under National Health Mission (NHM), while the support for Ayush infrastructure, equipment/ furniture and medicines are provided by the Ministry of Ayush under NAM as shared responsibilities. As per NHM-MIS database as on 30 th September, 2024, 475 PHCs, 388 CHCs and 37 DHs have been co-located with Ayush facilities in Tamil Nadu.

(d) & (e) Public Health being State subject, improvement of infrastructure, training and capacitybuilding  for  Ayush  professionals  comes  under  purview  of  respective  State  Government. However,  under  NAM,  there  is  provision  of  financial assistance  for  improvement  of infrastructure of Ayush facilities, training and capacity-building for Ayush professionals. State Government may avail eligible financial assistance by submitting the suitable proposals through SAAPs as per the provision of NAM guidelines.

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