Question : Ayush Treatment Facilities in Rural Areas

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

(a) whether adequate Ayush treatment facilities are available especially in rural areas of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the funds made available for the same during the last three years and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) the measures being taken by the Government to augment these facilities in such areas and the time limit fixed for opening a large number of Ayurvedic hospitals in such areas;

(d) whether the Government proposes to promote Indian system of medicine because it is not only effective in chronic disease but also very affordable in comparison to allopathy, if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the Government has made any effective effort to increase the availability of Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic doctors particularly in the rural areas in view of the shortage of medical facilities there and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA,
YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY
(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)
(a) to (c): Public Health being a State subject, the primary responsibility to provide AYUSH treatment facilities lies with the respective State/UT Governments. However, under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM), there is provision of financial assistance for setting up of upto 50 bedded integrated AYUSH hospitals, upgradation of standalone Government AYUSH hospitals & dispensaries, co-location of AYUSH facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs) for AYUSH treatment facilities including Ayurveda. Grant-in-aid of Rs. 417.11 Crore, Rs. 489.07 Crore and Rs. 456.49 Crore has been released during 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 respectively for different activities of NAM as per proposal received from State/UT Governments.
(d) & (e): The National AYUSH Mission inter-alia makes provision for the following for promotion and development of Indian system of medicine:-
(i) Co-location of AYUSH facilities at Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs) and Districts Hospitals (DHs).
(ii) Up gradation of exclusive State Government AYUSH Hospitals and Dispensaries.
(iii) Setting up of upto 50 bedded integrated AYUSH Hospital.
(iv) Upgradation of State Government Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate Educational Institutions.
(v) Setting up of new State Government AYUSH Educational Institutions in the States where it is not available in Government Sector.
(vi) Strengthening of State Government/State Government Co-operatives/Public Sector Undertakings Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy (ASU&H) Pharmacies
(vii) Strengthening of State Drug Testing Laboratories for ASU &H Drugs
(viii) Support for cultivation of Medicinal Plant including processing and post-harvest management
Further, 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 choice to the patients for different systems of medicine. The engagement of AYUSH doctors/paramedics and their training is supported by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, while the support for AYUSH infrastructure, equipment/furniture and medicines are provided by Ministry of AYUSH under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM).
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