Lok Sabha Question No. 3595 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: Integration of AYUSH with Modern Medical System
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Dr. Anand Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3595 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST  MARCH, 2025

## 'Integration of AYUSH with Modern Medical System'

## 3595  Dr. Anand Kumar:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  for integration of AYUSH  with modern medical system and promotion of AYUSH system of medicine;
- (b) the measures taken by the Government to ensure quality and efficacy of AYUSH doctors and medicines;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  any  plan/is  considering  any  such  plan  to  set  up  AYUSH hospitals, dispensaries, health and research centres in every district of the country on the lines of modern medical system; and

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

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

## ANSWER (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a)  The Ministry of Ayush is taking multiple initiatives towards integration of Ayush systems of medicine with modern medicine and for promotion of Ayush systems of medicine:

i.   The Ayush Vertical under Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), established by the Ministry  of  Ayush  and  Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare  (MoH&FW),  serves  as  a dedicated  institutional  mechanism  for  planning,  monitoring,  and  supervising  Ayush-specific public health programs. This vertical provides technical support to both Ministries in developing strategies for public health, healthcare, Ayush education, and training.

ii. The  Ministry  of  Ayush  and  MoH&FW  have  jointly  established Integrated  Ayush Departments in Central Government Hospitals to promote integrative healthcare. As part of this initiative,  the  Department  of  Integrative  Medicine  has  been  set  up  and  is  operational  at Vardhman  Mahavir  Medical  College  &  Safdarjung  Hospital  and  Lady  Hardinge  Medical College, New Delhi.

iii.  An Advisory committee was constituted under the chairpersonship of Dr. V.K. Paul, Hon'ble Member (Health), NITI Aayog to study the existing knowledge and efficacy of different models of Integrative Medicine and its benefits at large and to propose a framework of comprehensive Integrative Health Policy.

iv.  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  MoH&FW under National Health Mission (NHM), while the support for AYUSH infrastructure, equipment/ furniture and medicines are provided by the Ministry of Ayush under National AYUSH Mission (NAM) as shared responsibilities.

v.    National  Commission  for  Indian  System  of  Medicine  (NCISM)  has  developed  the  Ayush Module - Internship Electives for MBBS for Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha system of medicine. As  per  regulation  10  (7)  of  National  Commission  for  Indian  System  of  Medicine  (Minimum Standards of Undergraduate Ayurveda Education) Regulations-2022, the proportion of modern advances in Syllabus for Ayurveda teaching content shall be up to  40 per cent. Homoeopathic Education  Board  under  National  Commission  for  Homeopathy  (NCH)  has  taken  various  new initiatives  like  early  clinical  exposure,  introduction  of  electives,  faculty  development  program, foundation  program,  finishing  program  at  end  of  internship,  inclusion  of  new  subjects  like pharmacology and psychology to sensitize the students about different systems of medicine.

vi.  Details  of  initiatives  taken  by  the  Research  councils  and  National  Institutes  under  the Ministry of Ayush for integration of Ayush with modern medical system are given as Annexure .

viii. To promote Ayush systems of medicine, the Ministry of Ayush is implementing Centrally Sponsored  Scheme  National  Ayush  Mission  (NAM)  and  Central  Sector  Schemes  providing financial assistance for promotion and popularization of Ayush systems of medicine at National

and International level namely, Ayush Oushadhi Gunavatta evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana (AOGUSY), Promotion of International Cooperation (IC), Promotion of Information, Education and Communication (IEC), Scheme for Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants (CDSMMP), Ayurswasthaya Yojana and Ayurgyan. Further, National Institutes and Research Councils under Ministry of Ayush are engaged in coordinating, formulating, developing, promoting and popularizing Ayush system of healthcare. Two Statutory Bodies  under  Ministry  of  Ayush  i.e.  National  Commission  for  Indian  System  of  Medicine (NCISM)  and  National  Commission  for  Homoeopathy  (NCH)  are  working  as  a  regulatory commission for promotion of Ayush education. Ministry of Ayush is also digitally promoting the Ayush System of Medicine on its various Social Media Platforms.

(b)    To  ensure  quality  and  efficacy  of  Ayurveda,  Siddha,  Unani  and  Sowa  Rigpa  doctors,  the National  Commission  for  Indian  System  of  Medicine  (NCISM)  notified  NCISM  (Ethics  and Registration) Regulations 2023. In the said Regulation, under chapter III, rights and privileges of practitioners have been prescribed. Further, under Chapter IV, standards of professional conduct, etiquettes and code of ethics have been prescribed. The National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH) ensures quality and efficacy of Homoeopathy doctors through standardized Homoeopathic  practices  across  the  country  through  the  implementation  of  the  provisions  of National Commission for Homoeopathy (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Code of Ethics for Practitioners of Homoeopathy) Regulation 2022, through the State Homoeopathic Councils/Boards.  National  Institutes  under  the  Ministry  of  Ayush  strictly  adheres  to  the guidelines  set  by  NCISM  and  NCH  to  maintain  high  standards  of  education  and  training  of Ayush doctors and students.

The Ministry of Ayush has launched the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) for Ayushman Arogya  Mandirs  (AAMs)  (Ayush)  and  Ayush  Hospitals.  It  is  a  set  of  uniform  standards  for infrastructure,  human  resources,  equipment,  medicines,  and  services.  These  standards  enable States and UTs to deliver consistent and high quality Ayush healthcare services.

The Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs Rules, 1945 have exclusive regulatory provisions for Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani, and Homoeopathy drugs. Provisions relating to Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani Drugs are contained in Chapter IVA and Schedule- I of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and in Rules l5l to 169, Schedules E(l), T & TA of the Drugs Rules, 1945. Further, Second Schedule  (4A)  of  the  Drugs  and  Cosmetics  Act,  1940  provides  standards  for  Homoeopathic

drugs and Rules 2dd, 30AA, 67 (C-H), 85 (A to I), 106-A, Schedule K, Schedule M-I of the Drugs  and  Cosmetics  Rules,  1945  pertain  to  Homoeopathic  drugs.  It  is  mandatory  for  the manufacturers to adhere to the prescribed requirements for licensing of manufacturing units & medicines including proof of safety & effectiveness, compliance with the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) as per Schedule T & Schedule M-I of Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 and quality standards of drugs given in the respective pharmacopoeia.

Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), a  subordinate office under the Ministry of Ayush lays down the formulary specifications and pharmacopoeial standards  for  Ayurveda,  Siddha,  Unani  and  Homoeopathy  (ASU&H)  drugs  which  serves  as official  compendia  for  ascertaining  the  quality  (identity,  purity  and  strength)  of  the  ASU&H drugs.  As  per  the  Drugs  &  Cosmetics  Act,  1940  and  rules  thereunder,  the  compliance  to  this quality  standards  are  mandatory  for  the  production  of  ASU&H  drugs  being  manufactured  in India.

Ministry of Ayush has implemented a Central Sector Scheme AOGUSY, approved by Standing Finance  Committee  (SFC)  on  16.03.2021.  The  total  Budget  allocation  to  this  scheme  is  Rs. 122.00 crores for five years. The components of AOGUSY scheme are as follows:

i.  Strengthening  and  up-gradation  of  Ayush  Pharmacies  and  Drug  Testing  Laboratories  to achieve higher standards.

ii. Pharmacovigilance of ASU&H drugs including surveillance of misleading advertisements.

iii.  Strengthening  of  Central  and  State  regulatory  frameworks  including  Technical  Human Resource & Capacity Building programs for Ayush drugs.

iv.  Support  for  development  of  standards  and  accreditation/certification  of  Ayush  products  & materials in collaboration with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Quality Control of India (QCI) and other relevant scientific institutions and industrial R&D centers.

(c)  and  (d)  Public  Health  being  a  State  subject,  the  setting  up  of  the  infrastructure  of  Ayush Hospitals  in  the  country  comes  under  the  purview  of  respective  State/UT  Governments. However, the Ministry of Ayush has established a vast network of Ayush academic and research institutions through National Institutes and Research Councils across the Country. Further, under Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  of  National  AYUSH  Mission  (NAM),  there  is  a  provision  of financial assistance for establishment of Integrated Ayush Hospitals. State/UT Governments may

avail  eligible  financial  assistance  by  submitting  the  suitable  proposals  through  State  Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) as per the provision of NAM guidelines.

## Details  of  initiatives  taken  by  the  Ministry  of  Ayush  through  its  Research  councils  and National Institutes

|   S. No | Research councils/ National Institute                      | Details of initiatives                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|---------|------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) | The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has undertaken research studies such as Operational study to explore the feasibility of integrating Ayurveda with modern system of medicine in a tertiary care hospital (Safdarjung Hospital New Delhi) for the management of Osteoarthritis (Knee), Feasibility of introducing the Indian System of Medicine (Ayurveda) in the National Reproductive and Child Health services at the Primary Health Care (PHC) level in Himachal Pradesh and Integration of AYUSH systems in the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS) and Feasibility of introducing Ayurveda Intervention in Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) in PHCs of the Selected district (Gadchiroli) of Maharashtra (Effectiveness of Ayurvedic intervention for Ante-Natal care (Garbhini Paricharya) at Primary Health Care level: A Multi Centre Operational Study). Further, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and CCRAS has taken and initiative to set up Ayush- ICMR Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research (AI-ACIHR), at AIIMS to conduct research on identified areas focusing on integrative healthcare under Extra Mural research Scheme of ICMR. |
|       2 | Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM)     | Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) has established four re-location centers at Dr. RML Hospital, Dr. DDU Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi and J.J. Hospital at Mumbai. Collaborative projects with modern                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |

|    |                                                    | academic/ research Institutions have also been under taken by the Council to integrate and promote Unani Medicine.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|----|----------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  3 | Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) | The Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) is working towards integration of Homoeopathy with mainstream healthcare by undertaking research in collaboration and cooperation in the field of integrative medicine. The Council has co- location of homoeopathy treatment centre in allopathic hospital for providing treatment on various clinical conditions at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, Lady Hardinge Medical College & Hospital, New Delhi, Delhi Cantonment General Hospital, New Delhi, Clinical trial Unit, at BRD Medical College and Hospital, Gorakhpur, U), Civil Hospital, Aizwal, Mizoram and District hospital, Dimapur, Nagaland. The Council has also taken initiative to link Homoeopathy along with mainstream healthcare set-up by undertaking various Public Health programmes such as the Integration of NPCDCS programme for Homoeopathy, SwasthyaRakshan program (SRP), the programme 'Homoeopathy for Healthy teething', a component of 'Homoeopathy for healthy child' and Schedule Caste Component plan (SC Component plan). |
|  4 | Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS)      | The Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) has taken initiatives for integrating Siddha practices with the modern healthcare system by encouraging scientific research and clinical trials to validate the efficacy and safety of Ayush treatments along with modern treatments. Integrated Siddha cancer OPD has been functioning at All India Institute of Ayurveda campus and Siddha cancer OPD at Safdarjung hospital aiding the Palliative care of cancer patients through Siddha system through Siddha Clinical Research Unit, Safdarjung, New Delhi under CCRS. CCRS has signed MoU with AIIMS Rishikesh for initiating collaborative research                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |

|    |                                                            | activities for Cancer Management, Reproductive &Childcare and Regenerative Medicine.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|----|------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  5 | Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy (CCRYN) | The Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy (CCRYN) is a part of the ICMR Task Force on Multi-centric Study project on Heart Failure across the country.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|  6 | All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA)                     | In All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, integrative medical services are available under Centre for Integrative Ayush Therapy (Unani, Siddha & Homeopathy), Centre for Integrative Cancer Therapy, Centre for Integrative Dentistry, Centre for Integrative Critical Care & Emergency Medicine, Centre for Integrative Orthopedics, Centre for Integrative Dietetics and Nutrition and Causality OPD Section. Integrated services are also provided through Satellite Clinical Services Units established at Integrative Medical Services Unit at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, Integrative Medical Services Unit AIIMS Jhajjar and Centre for Integrative Oncology at National Cancer Institute - AIIMS, Jhajjar. Further, a Centre for Integrative Oncology (CIO) has been established at AIIA, New Delhi as a joint venture of AIIA and Indian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR- ICMR). Ayush Journal of Integrative Oncology (AJIO) is being published from Centre for Integrative Oncology (CIO) at AIIA. This Institute also has an International Collaborative Centre for global promotion and research in |

|    |                                                         | Ayurveda.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|----|---------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  7 | The Institute of Teaching & Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) | The Institute of Teaching & Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) conducts integrative research with the modern medical system.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|  8 | National Institute of Siddha (NIS)                      | To promote integrated research in the Siddha system of medicine and provide Siddha treatment to the patients visiting Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), National Institute of Siddha (NIS) inaugurated an upgraded Siddha specialty OPD at Kelambakkam jointly with Chettinad Academy of Research and Education(CARE). NIS has been conducting a Specialty Integrative Traditional Siddha Medicine OPD (SISMO) at Centre for Integrative Medicine Research, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka. Further, NIS started a Siddha Integrated Cancer Care Centre(S- ICCare Centre) to provide integrated treatment to cancer patients. |

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