Lok Sabha Question No. 4299 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Promotion  of Indian Traditional Medicine System
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Anil Firojiya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-4299 ANSWERED ON 20/12/2024

## 'Promotion of Indian Traditional Medicine System'

## 4299. Shri Anil Firojiya:

Will the Minister of Ayush be pleased to state:

- a) the major steps taken by the Government to promote Indian traditional medicine systems globally;
- b) whether  the  Government  has  launched  any  special  scheme  to  promote  the  use  of Ayurveda, Yoga and Homeopathy treatment methods during the pandemic and if so, the details thereof;
- c) the details of the new AYUSH schemes and initiatives undertaken by the Government to promote AYUSH health; and
- d) the  details  of  the  opportunities  provided  by  the  Government  to  young  doctors  and researchers for training and research in Indian traditional medicine systems?

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

(a) Ministry  of  Ayush  has  developed  a  Central  Sector  Scheme  for  the  Promotion  of International  Co-operation  in  AYUSH  (IC  Scheme)  under  which  the  Ministry  of  Ayush provides support to Indian Ayush drug Manufacturers/ Ayush Service providers to give boost to  the  export  of  AYUSH  products  &  services;  facilitates  the  International  promotion, development and recognition of Ayush system of medicine; foster interaction of stakeholders and market development of AYUSH at international level; promote academics and research through  the  establishment  of  AYUSH  Academic  Chairs  in  foreign  countries  and  holding training workshop/symposiums for promoting and strengthening awareness and interest about Ayush systems of Medicine at international level.

The Ministry of Ayush has taken the following steps towards the international recognition for Ayush systems of medicine:

-  Collaboration  with  Foreign  Countries  by  signing  of  country  level  Memorandum  of Understanding (MoU) for undertaking Ayush related activities on mutual interest. Signed 24  Country  to  Country  MoUs  for  Cooperation  in  field  of  Traditional  Medicine  and Homoeopathy with foreign nations;
-  Signing of MoUs with foreign institute for research/academic collaboration;
-  15 MoUs for establishment of Ayush Chairs in Foreign Universities/Institutes;
-  Deputation of Ayush expert (short term/long term);
-  Collaboration with World Health Organisation (WHO) or United Nations (UN) agencies for cooperation in the field of Ayush, support or organizing international training;
-  Conference,  seminar,  expo  etc.  in  India  or  abroad  for  promoting  and  strengthening awareness and interest about Ayush systems of Medicine at international level;
-  Establishment  of  42  Ayush  information  cell  (centre)  in  different  countries  across  the world to provide authentic information about Ayush system;
-  Representing  Ayush  in  various  bilateral  meetings  and  multilateral  forums,  support  for undertaking clinical research in Ayush at international level;
-  Provides support to Indian Ayush Manufacturers/ Ayush Service providers to give boost to export of Ayush products & services etc.
-  Offering  AYUSH  scholarships  to  foreign  nationals  for  courses  in  recognized  AYUSH institutions in India.
-  International  Day  of  Yoga  (IDY),  Celebrated  annually  on  June  21,  IDY  has  become  a flagship  event  following  its  adoption  by  the  United  Nations  in  2014,  with  large-scale participation across the globe through embassies, yoga practitioners, and local communities.
-  Educational  Initiatives  such  as  support  for  yoga  education  through  courses,  and  the establishment  of  Ayush  chairs  in  foreign  universities.  The  Yoga  Certification  Board (YCB),  established  by  the  Ministry  of  Ayush,  provides  internationally  recognized certification for yoga professionals and institutions, ensuring quality standards in teaching and practice.

(b)  &  (c)            Ministry  of  Ayush  has  undertaken  following  initiative  to  promote  Ayush systems:

-  Ministry of Ayush is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Ayush Mission  (NAM)  through  State/UT  Governments  for  development  and  promotion  of Ayush  system  of  medicines  and  providing  financial  assistance  to  them  as  per  the proposals received in their State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) as per NAM guidelines.
-  Ministry  of  Ayush  has  developed  a  Central  Sector  Scheme  for  the  Promotion  of International Co-operation in AYUSH (IC Scheme) under which the Ministry of Ayush provides support to Indian Ayush drug Manufacturers/ Ayush Service providers to give boost  to  the  export  of  AYUSH  products  &  services;  facilitates  the  International promotion, development and recognition of Ayush system of medicine; foster interaction of  stakeholders  and  market  development  of  AYUSH  at  international  level;  promote academics  and  research  through  the  establishment  of  AYUSH  Academic  Chairs  in foreign countries and holding training workshop/symposiums for promoting and strengthening  awareness and interest about  Ayush systems of Medicine at international level.
-  Ministry of Ayush has supported World Health Organization (WHO) to establish a Global Traditional  Medicine  Centre  in  Jamnagar,  Gujarat,  which  has  a  strategic  focus  on evidence and learning, data and analytics, sustainability and equity, and innovation and technology  to  optimize  the  contribution  of  traditional  medicine  to  global  health  and sustainable development.
-  The Ministry also implements the Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of Information Education  and  Communication  (IEC)  in  Ayush  to  create  awareness  regarding  Ayush system of Medicine. This scheme aims to reach out to all sections of the population across the  country.  It  provides  assistance  for  organizing  National/State  Arogya  Fairs,  Yoga Fests/Utsavs,  Ayurveda  Parvs,  etc.  The  Ministry  also  undertakes  Multi-Media,  Print Media Campaigns for creating awareness about the Ayush system.
-  Ayush Oushadhi Gunvatta Evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana (AOGUSY) to regulate Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homeopathy (ASU&H) medicines in India, utilizing the framework provided by the Drugs &  Cosmetics Act, 1940, and its associated rulesStrengthening and up-gradation of Ayush Pharmacies and Drug Testing Laboratories to achieve higher standards.
-  AYURGYAN Scheme: The scheme aims to enhance and develop capacity in the Ayush healthcare  sector  at  the  country  level.  It  seeks  to  improve  health  practices  through sustainable Ayush methods, encourage professionals to undergo professional orientation, update  knowledge  of  teachers and  doctors, and  promote  the  use of information technology for disseminating Ayush  developments. The scheme  also focuses on encouraging research and development in priority areas to validate claims and enhance the acceptability of Ayush approaches and drugs in the global market.
-  Ayurswasthya: Ayurswasthya Yojana aims to address the diverse health challenges faced by  India  by  merging  and  expanding  two  existing  schemes  -  Public  Health  Intervention (PHI) and Centre of Excellence (COE). The scheme has three main components: Ayush and Public Health, Ayush for Sports Medicine, and Upgradation of facilities to the Centre of Excellence

The 12 National Institutes and 05 Research Councils under the aegis of Ministry of Ayush are also  engaged  in  education,  health  care  services,  research  and  public  awareness  in  Ayush systems of medicine. The Outpatient & Indoor patient services of these institutes provides comprehensive health care to public at large. The five Research Councils under Ministry of Ayush  works  with  a  common  mandate  of  co-ordinating,  formulating,  developing  and promoting research on scientific lines in their respective Ayush systems of medicine. These Institutes/  Research  Councils  also  organizes  Arogya  Melas,  Awareness  Camps,  Treatment Camps,  Radio  &  TV  talks,  outreach  programs  like  Swasthya  Rakshan  Program  (SRP), Schedule Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) Research Program, Tribal Health Care Research Program (THCRP) for creating awareness on Ayush systems of healthcare among the general public.

An  Ayush  Research  Portal  has  been  developed  for  promotion  and  propagation  of  Ayush system  where  43,614  evidence  based  research  articles  are  listed.  The  link  of  the  portal  is https://ayushportal.nic.in/default.aspx d) Government of India provides opportunities through the National Council for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) to promote research in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and SowaRigpa (ASUS) sector are as follows:

-  Publication Grant :  NCISM is giving publication grant to the teachers, Under graduate and  Post  Graduate,  and  practitioners  of  Ayurveda , Siddha,  Unani  medical  system  for publication of research papers in quality journals as per the guidelines.
-  STUDENTSHIP  PROGRAM  FOR  AYURVEDA  RESEARCH  KEN  (SPARK) : NCISM, in collaboration with the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), launched the Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken (SPARK) for undergraduate students of Ayurveda colleges. In collaboration with NCISM, the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) and the Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) also launched a studentship program for the Siddha and Unani medical systems  to  develop  research  for  undergraduate  students  of  Siddha  and  Unani  colleges, respectively.
-  Post  Graduate  scholars  (PG-STAR) :  NCISM  in  the  collaboration  with  CCRAS  has launched  Scheme  for  Training  in  Ayurveda  Research  for  Post  Graduate  scholars  (PGSTAR).
-  LITERARY  RESEARCH : CCRAS  is  giving grant for literary research to the individuals and also working in collaboration with the teaching institutions for research purpose.
-  ANVESHANAM RASA-BHASMA :  Board of  Ayurveda, NCISM, is inviting proposal from the Department of Rasashastra & Bhaishajya Kalpana or teachers of Rasashastra of recognised  Ayurveda  institutions  &  Ayurveda  practitioners  for  preparation  of  new 'Rasaushadhi'  or  'Bhasma  of  new  material'  which  is  not  described  in  any  Ayurveda classical texts.