Lok Sabha Question No. 1302 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-06
Subject: Shortage of AYUSH Doctors in Lakshadweep
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1302

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2026

## Shortage of AYUSH Doctors in Lakshadweep

1302. Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

- a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  inadequate  infrastructure,  shortage  of  AYUSH doctors and paramedical staff and limited availability of medicines in AYUSH dispensaries in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep;
2. (b) if so, the details of AYUSH dispensaries currently functioning in Lakshadweep, Islandwise along with the sanctioned and filled posts of doctors and staff therein;
3. (c) whether the Government has any proposal to strengthen AYUSH healthcare services in Lakshadweep  by  upgrading  infrastructure,  filling  vacant  posts,  ensuring  regular  supply  of medicines and introducing telemedicine and speciality AYUSH services;
4. (d) if so, the details thereof along with the timelines fixed for implementation; and
5. (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a) & (b) As Public Health being a State subject, the primary responsibility to ensure adequate infrastructure, availability of Ayush doctors and paramedical staff & availability medicines in Ayush  dispensaries  in  the  union  Territory  of  Lakshadweep  comes  under  the  purview  of respective UT Government. As reported by UT Government, 7 Ayushman Arogya Mandir-

Ayush centers, 1 Ayush dispensary at Kadmat, and a 20-bedded Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Ayush Hospital at Kavaratti is functioning under National Ayush Mission (NAM). Ayush services are delivered by 18 Ayush doctors (10 Ayurveda & 8 Homoeopathy), 1 Unani and 1 Siddha doctor, with paramedical staff under National Health Mission (NHM) and NAM in Lakshadweep,. Medicines  are  procured  as  per  Ministry  of  Ayush  guidelines  and  supplied  to  the  Ayush facilities.  Further,  Kadmat  Island  has  one  Ayush  Dispensary  co-located  with  Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM), staffed with one Ayurveda and one Homoeopathy doctor under NHM, along with two masseurs and one Homoeopathy pharmacist under NAM.

(c) to (e) As public health is a State subject, the primary responsibility of strengthening of Ayush healthcare services by upgrading infrastructure, filling vacant posts, ensuring regular supply of medicines and introducing telemedicine, comes under the purview of the respective UT  Government.  However,  Ministry  of  Ayush  is  implementing  the  Centrally  Sponsored Scheme of NAM through State/UT Governments including Lakshadweep and supporting their efforts for overall development & promotion of Ayush system by providing financial assistance under different activities like strengthening of infrastructure, support of manpower, supply of medicines, implementation of public health programmes etc. Accordingly, UT Government may avail financial assistance by submitting suitable proposals through State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) as per the provisions of NAM guidelines.

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