ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)
(a): The AYUSH system of medicine is useful in management of COVID-19. The guidelines for Registered Practitioners of respective system of AYUSH have been prepared by Director Generals of Research Councils and Directors of National Institutes with their team of experts and vetted by the Interdisciplinary AYUSH Research and Development Task Force of Ministry of AYUSH. After obtaining approval of Cabinet Secretariat, these vetted guidelines are made available in public domain for the benefit of more than 700000 registered AYUSH practitioners to help in the management of COVID 19 pandemic uniformly.
(b): Ministry of AYUSH has not approved any kits to tackle Corona Virus.
(c): Yes, Ministry of AYUSH has formed an Inter-disciplinary AYUSH Research and Development Task Force. The Task Force has formulated and designed clinical research protocols for prophylactic studies and add-on interventions in COVID-19 positive cases through thorough review and consultative process of experts of high repute from different organizations across the country for studying four different interventions viz. Ashwagandha, Yashtimadhu, Guduchi + Pippali and a poly herbal formulation (AYUSH-64).
(d): The other steps being taken by the Government for cure of corona virus patients are as under:-
i. Ministry of AYUSH issued an advisory on 29.01.2020 on how to protect oneself from COVID and how to stay healthy. Ministry has also written a letter dated 06.03.2020 to all Chief Secretaries of States / Union territories with more specific suggestions on augmentation of General Immunity of people and about possible AYUSH intervention. Ministry has also issued self-care guidelines on 31.03.2020 for preventive health measures and boosting immunity with special reference to respiratory health.
ii. Ministry has sent a D.O. letter dated 16.03.2020 to Ministry of Health & Family welfare offering for integrating and utilizing huge AYUSH infrastructure to combat with the COVID19 pandemic and also to Principals of all Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy (ASU&H) colleges (approximately 727 colleges) on 23.03.2020 for offering their services to local health authorities for utilization of the available facilities by them as per the situation arises.
iii. Ministry of AYUSH in collaboration with M/o Health & Family has organized Training of Trainers for COVID-19 Preparedness, Response and Containment.
iv. Ministry of AYUSH issued Gazette notification dated 21.04.2020 for undertaking research on COVID-19 through Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy including prophylactic measures, intervention during the quarantine, asymptomatic and symptomatic cases of COVID-19. Public Health Research, Survey, Lab Based Research etc to generate evidence.
v. Ayush Sanjivani mobile app developed by Ministry of AYUSH has been also launched to generate data on acceptance and usage of AYUSH advocacies and measures among the population and its impact in prevention of COVID-19 targeting 05 million population.
vi. Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), an autonomous body under the Ministry of AYUSH had deputed 30 Yoga Instructors at COVID Centre / Quarantine Centre under Govt. of NCT of Delhi to impart COVID-19 patients & high risk groups from 15th July, 2020. During April to 15th July, 2020 MDNIY conducted online classes for general public wherein around 5 lakh people benefitted.
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