Lok Sabha Question No. 5742 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-27
Subject: AYUSH Healthcare Services for Women in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Dr. D Ravi Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5742 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2026

## AYUSH Healthcare Services for Women in Tamil Nadu

## 5742. Dr. D Ravi Kumar:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  AYUSH  healthcare  services  for  women  have  been  expanded  in  Tamil  Nadu, particularly in rural and coastal districts;

(b) the number of women beneficiaries under AYUSH wellness and maternal health programmes during the last three years;

(c)  whether  traditional  medicine  is  being  integrated  with  public  health  systems  for  women's wellness; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government to address anaemia, reproductive health and mental wellbeing of women through AYUSH interventions?

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

(a) & (b) Public Health being a State subject, expansion of Ayush health care services for women in different regions of Tamil Nadu including rural and coastal districts comes under purview of respective State Government. As reported by State Government of Tamil Nadu they have taken following steps for expanded Ayush health care services for women.

- Under  the  National  Ayush  Mission  (NAM),  Ayush  services  have  been  co-located  in Primary  Health  Centres  (PHCs),  District  Hospitals  and  Health  &  Wellness  Centres, improving access in rural areas.
- Tamil Nadu has established a large network of integrated Ayush units (over 1,660 units) within public health facilities, ensuring outreach across districts.
- Special focus has been given to women through Siddha-based maternal care interventions such as the Magaperu Sanjeevi Pettagam scheme for pregnant and lactating mothers.
- Maternal care schemes (e.g., Siddha kits for pregnant women)
- Community-based  interventions  (e.g.,  tribal  and  rural  outreach  programmes  covering thousands of beneficiaries)

Further, as reported by State Government of Tamil Nadu a total of 2,99,301 women beneficiaries were provided with Magaperu Sanjeevi Kit medicines during year 2023-24 & 2024-25.

(c)  As  reported  by  State  Government  of  Tamil  Nadu,  traditional  medicine  is  being  integrated with the public health system by:

- Ayush systems (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) are integrated with mainstream healthcare under Ayushman Bharat and NAM frameworks.
- Co-location  of  Ayush  services  in  Primary  Health  Centers  (PHCs)  and  Government hospitals enables holistic care including maternal and preventive health services.
- Tamil  Nadu  has  actively  integrated  Siddha  and  other  Ayush  streams  into  Government hospitals, enhancing women-centric care and wellness services.

(d) As Public Health is a State subject, taking steps to address anaemia, reproductive health and mental  well-being  of  women  through  Ayush  interventions  comes  under  purview  of  respective State Government. As informed by State Government of Tamil Nadu they have taken following initiative in this regards:-

1. Anaemia control:

- Collaboration between Ministry of Ayush and other Ministries for nutrition and anaemia control programmes, especially among women and adolescent girls.
- Implementation  of  the  School  Health  Programme  through  Siddha  in  385  Block  PHCs enables  adolescent  school  girls  to  receive  medicines  for  adolescent  anaemia,  uterine health tonics, and immune  boosters, which are being distributed. This scheme implemented in Tamil Nadu under National Ayush Mission in 2019-20 to present.
- Use of Ayush formulations and Siddha interventions to improve haemoglobin levels in women (e.g., maternal kits in Tamil Nadu).

2. Reproductive and maternal health:

- Provision of AYUSH-based antenatal and postnatal care through Health & Wellness Centres and other Siddha wings.
- Distribution  of  traditional  medicine  kits  and  wellness  support  for  pregnant  and lactating women in Tamil Nadu.
3. Mental well-being and holistic health:
- Promotion of Yoga and Naturopathy for stress management, mental health and lifestyle disorders.
- Community  outreach  programmes  and  wellness activities focusing on preventive healthcare for women.

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