Lok Sabha Question No. 8 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Healthcare Services for Traditional Medicines
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Jagannath Sarkar

(a) & (b)

The Ministry of Ayush has adopted various strategies to promote India as global destination for healthcare services related to  Traditional and Complementary Medicines which are as follows:-

- i. The Ministry of Home Affairs vide circular no. 584 dated 27.07.2023 introduced a new Visa Regime under chapter 11A i.e. Ayush (AY) visa  for  foreigners visiting  India  for treatment under Ayush systems/ Indian systems of medicine and also to provide e-Ayush visa and e-Ayush Attendant visa to such foreigners.
- ii. The Central Sector Scheme of Champion Services Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Ayush to promote for Medical Value Travel has the provision for financial assistance in the form of interest subsidy to be provided to the private investors for Establishment of World Class, State of the Art Super Specialty Hospitals/ Day Care Centres of the systems

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 8  FOR 02.02.2024

## Healthcare Services for Traditional Medicines

## 8 . SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR:

- Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state: (a)  whether  there  are  specific  strategies  in  place  to  promote  India  as  a  global  destination  for healthcare services related to Traditional and Complementary Medicines; (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  integrate  evidence-based  Traditional  and Complementary medicines under the National Health System; and (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF AYUSH (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

recognized under the National Commission for Indian system of medicine (NCISM) Act, 2020  (erstwhile  Indian  Medicine  Central  Council  (IMCC)  Act,  1970)  or  the  National Commission  for  Homoeopathy  Act,  2020  (erstwhile  Homeopathic  Central  Council (HCC) Act, 1973) on Pan India basis.

- iii. There is a committee on Medical Value Travel and Wellness Services, SSD 16 for the development of standardization in Medical Value Travel.

## (c) & (d)

The  Government  of  India  has  taken  various  steps  to  integrate  evidence-based  Traditional  and Complementary medicines under the National Health System which are as follows:-

- i. National  Health  Policy,  2017  which  lays  down  guidelines  for  the  entire  health  sector (including  Ayush  Systems)  inter-alia  focus  on  Integrating  Ayush  system  with  Modern medicine.  The  policy  further  supports  the  integration  of  Ayush  systems  at  the  level  of knowledge systems, by validating processes of health care promotion and cure.
- ii. Ministry of Ayush has created Ayush vertical under Directorate General of Health Services for strengthening of the integrative system of medicine enabling convergence of both modern system of medicine and Ayush to provide the optimal healthcare services to the citizens.
- iii. The 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) under  the  National  Ayush  Mission  (NAM).  The  Ministry  of  Ayush  is  implementing  the operationalization of 12,500 Ayush Health and Wellness Centres (AHWCs) under Ayushman Bharat as a component of NAM.
- iv. The Government of India has taken steps to integrate the Ayush system of medicine with modern medicine through collaborations with different ministries like Central Government Health  Scheme  (CGHS),  Ministry  of  Health  &  Family  Welfare,  Ministry  of  Defence, Ministry of Railways, Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) hospitals  & dispensaries under the Ministry of Labour & Employment.
- v. Integration of Ayurveda through All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA)- New Delhi has been implemented at Safdarjung Hospital- New Delhi and AIIMS- Jhajjar.
- vi. The  Government  has  also  integrated Ayush  in  national  programs like the National Programme  for  Prevention  and  Control  of  Cancer,  Diabetes,  Cardiovascular  Diseases  & Stroke (NPCDCS), and Reproductive and Child Health (RCH).