Question : Bridge Course for AYUSH Doctors

Will the Minister of AYURVEDA, YOGA AND NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the distribution of AYUSH practitioners in the country;

(b) the total number of Homoeopathy, Unani, Siddha and Naturopathy practitioners in Delhi vis-à-vis other States;

(c) whether the Government is taking any steps to increase the number of Siddha and Naturopathy practitioners in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether a bridge course or similar plan is being proposed by the Government to enable AYUSH practitioners to prescribe Allopathic medicines;

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(f) whether Indian Medical Council and Allopathic doctors are dissenting to such a proposal, if so, the details thereof and the basis of such a dissent and also the reaction of the Government thereto?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA,
YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY
(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)
(a) & (b): The details of the distribution of Ayush practitioners in the country and the total number of Homeopathy, Unani, Siddha and Naturopathy practitioners in Delhi vis-à-vis other States are annexed at Annexure.
(c): Yes, the Government had taken steps to increase the number of Siddha practitioners in the country as follows:
• Establishing new Siddha Medical colleges
• Inclusion of basic Siddha syllabus as Occasional Group in Higher Secondary Education at school level






Creating advantages and awareness about Siddha System of Medicine to the public Generating new postings for Siddha practitioners at State and Central Educational institutes, Research organisation.
NIN, Pune under Nisarg Gram Project is establishing Naturopathy Medical College (with P.G./U.G./Ph.D./Fellowship/Para Medical Courses) at Yewalewadi, in Pune to increase the number of Practitioner in the country. The construction of the said project has already commenced.
CCRYN has established a Central Research Institute (CRI) of Yoga & Naturopathy at Rohini, Delhi for training and Research in Yoga and Naturopathy.
CCRYN is also in the process of establishment of two PG institutes of Yoga & Naturopathy Education and Research each at Jhajjar, Haryana and Nagamangla, Karnataka.
( d) to (f):
• Dispensing of essential medicines is already permitted under Rules issued under Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
• National Medical Commission Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on 29.12.2017 and referred to Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health & Family Welfare on 04.01.2018. The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health & Family Welfare has presented its 109th Report on the said Bill to both the Houses of Parliament on 20th March, 2018.
• Based on the recommendation of Departmental related Parliamentary Standing Committee made in its 109th report, the provision for bridge course for AYUSH doctors provided in the NMC Bill earlier has been removed through official amendments.