Will the Minister of AYURVEDA, YOGA AND NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:
(a) whether his Ministry has convened a meeting with the States in connection with providing adequate training to the AYUSH doctors and for prescribing allopathic medicines;
(b) if so, the issues discussed in the said meeting; and
(c) the decision taken by the Government thereon?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY(AYUSH)
(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)
(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO 97* FOR 29TH APRIL, 2016
(a) & (b) Ministry of AYUSH had organized State/ UT AYUSH/ Health Ministers’ Conferences in the year 2014-15 and 2015-16 in New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent charge) for AYUSH to discuss various Agenda items, like National AYUSH Mission (NAM), Schemes and activities of National Medicinal Plants Board, Settlement of pending Utilization certificates, Administrative Set up for effective implementation and strengthening of AYUSH infrastructure, Regulatory and quality control framework for Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs, Special programmes, namely AYUSH Education cum E-Governance, Homoeopathy and International Yoga Day, CCIM/CCH elections etc.
(c) In accordance with the proceedings of the above meetings, the decisions/suggestions emerged included the following:
Reiteration by the Ministry that the Government AYUSH colleges in the country should be properly staffed and supported with funding; States to work for expeditious utilization for funds and strengthen the absorbing capacity for smooth implementation of NAM; the colleges may opt for voluntary certification from agencies like Quality Council of India (QCI), all the States should give attention to the quality control of the drugs and enforcement mechanism should be strengthened and States to participate actively in the celebration of forthcoming International Day of Yoga.
Apart from the agenda items and experiences shared by the States in the meetings, the subject pertaining to practice of modern medicine by AYUSH doctors also came for the discussion, wherein it was suggested that the States willing to do so have to consider taking up amendments in the relevant State Medical Practitioner Act to empower AYUSH doctors for the purpose of limited practice of modern medicine. However, no specific decision was taken on training of AYUSH doctors or for allowing allopathy practice by them.