(a) the number of AYUSH doctors practicing Homeopathy, Unani, Siddha and Naturopathy in the country, State/UT-wise including Gujarat;
(b) whether the Government proposes to set up any Naturopathy hospital in Gujarat; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to bring AYUSH healthcare services into mainstream?
THE MINISTER OF AYUSH
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) Thenumber of Unani, Siddha, Naturopathy and Homeopathy Registered Practitioners (Doctors) in the country, State/UT-wise including Gujarat is furnished at Annexure – I.
(b) Public Health being a State subject, setting up of Naturopathy hospital comes under the purview of the respective State/UT Government. However, the Ministry of Ayush is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the National Ayush Mission (NAM) through State/UT Governments for promotion and development of Ayush systems of Medicine and to bring Ayush healthcare services into mainstream. Under the NAM, there is a provision of financial assistance for setting up of 50/30/10 bedded Integrated Ayush hospital including Naturopathy. State/UT Governments may avail the eligible financial assistance by submitting the suitable proposal through State Annual Action Plans as per the NAM Guidelines.
(c) The steps taken by the Government to bring Ayush healthcare services into main stream
are as follows: -
Ministry of Ayush signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ministry of Railways for Introduction of Ayush Systems in five Railway Hospitals. Accordingly, Ayush units have been started in Railway Zonal Hospitals at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Guwahati.Also, a MoU has been signed with Ministry of Defense for integration of Ayurveda under their health establishments. Accordingly, Ayurveda OPDs have been established at Palliative Care Centre, Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt, Air Force Hospital Hindon and 05 identified Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) polyclinics in Delhi-NCR.
Apart from above, National Health policy, 2017 which lays down guidelines for the entire health sector (including Ayush Systems) inter-alia focus on Integrating Ayush system with Modern medicine. Due emphasis has been given for continuing mainstreaming of Ayush with General Health. The policy further supports the integration of Ayush systems at the level of knowledge systems, by validating processes of health care promotion and cure. 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).
Further, Government of India has made a comprehensive decision for operationalization of Health and Wellness Centres by the Ministry of Ayush through State/UT Governments. Union Cabinet on 20.03.2020 has approved the proposal to operationalize 12,500 Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) through National Ayush Mission under Ayushman Bharat in a phased manner from year 2019-20 to 2023-24.
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