Lok Sabha Question No. 5528 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Healthcare Services for Senior Citizens
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Dr. D. Purandeswari, Shri Hasmukhbhai Somabhai Patel, Shri Miteshbhai Rameshbhai Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5528

## ANSWERED ON 04.04.2025

## Healthcare Services for Senior Citizens

5528.   Dr. D. Purandeswari:

Shri Mitesh Patel Bakabhai:

Shri Hasmukhbhai Somabhai Patel:

Will the Minister of AYUSH

be pleased to state:

(a)  the  details  of  the  MoU  signed  by  the  Government  to  enhance  geriatric  healthcare  and combat substance abuse particularly in Rajahmundry Parliamentary constituency of Andhra Pradesh;

- (b) whether this initiative is expected to strengthen healthcare services for senior citizens and improve rehabilitation efforts for substance abuse victims and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the anticipated impact of integrating Ayush-based treatments into mainstream healthcare for  elderly  care  and  de-addiction  programmes  and  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to ensure accessibility; and
- (d)  the  measures  adopted by the Government to collaborate with relevant stakeholders and align  this  initiative  with  national  healthcare  policies  and  the  global  best  practices  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d)  A MoU was signed between Ministry of Ayush (MoA) and Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) on 12.02.2025  with the following objectives -

- i. Develop  cooperation,  convergence  and  synergy  between  MoA  and  DoSJE  to  have innovative  initiatives  to  promote  health  of  senior  citizens  and  also  to  attempt  reducing

demand  for  drugs  and  substance  abuse,  their  treatment  and  mental  rehabilitation  through, awareness generation, capacity building of service providers through Ayush systems.

ii. Promote research in the area of geriatric health, substance abuse and mental health iii. Any other activities for the purpose of health promotion of geriatric as well as drug addict population.

As per the MoU, the roles and responsibilities of  MoA for geriatric healthcare and substance abuse are to develop training module and treatment protocol of Ayush system in the field of  geriatric  caregivers  and substance abuse counsellors, develop video module on yoga  training  program,  share  knowledge  and  practices  in  preventive  and  curative  care, provide  Ayush  related  technical  support  and  provide  geriatric  healthcare  and  de-addition through autonomous bodies under MoA.

Under the MoU, DOSJE is responsible for facilitating the Ayush Autonomous bodies in  establishing  the  Geriatric  Health  Centers,  support  the  research  in  the  area  of  geriatric health, promote the integration of any of Ayush services in old age homes, to incorporate the Ayush system in preventive and curative aspects of senior citizens, create awareness about the Ayush system amongst the senior citizens, to support and develop Information Education Communication  (IEC)  material  on  geriatric  care,  to  support  in  organizing  the  training programs, workshops and seminars aimed at capacity building of geriatric caregivers. Copy of  the  MoU has been shared with the Regional Resource Training Centres (RRTCs) under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment to expand the reach of the MoU for the welfare of the  senior  citizens  of  the  country  including  Rajahmundry  Parliamentary  constituency  of Andhra Pradesh.

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