Question : AYUSH Health and Welfare Centres

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

(a) the total number of AYUSH health and welfare centres in the country;

(b) whether funds have been allocated for the said AYUSH Health and welfare centres by the Government, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;

(c) the extent to which success has been achieved so far in the efforts to discover a treatment for COVID-19 through concrete measures and medicines of AYUSH;

(d) whether any steps/initiatives have been taken by Government towards ensuring well-being of people during COVID-19 crises; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

(a) & (b): Total 12500 AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) are proposed to be established by upgradation of existing State Government AYUSH dispensaries and Sub Health Centres by the year 2023-24.

A total 3039 AYUSH HWCs have been approved till date and Rs. 186.47 Crores released to the States/UTs under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM). State-wise status of approved Health and Wellness Centres is furnished at Annexure.

(c): Ministry of AYUSH has formed an Inter-disciplinary AYUSH R&D Task Force. Task Force has formulated and designed clinical research protocols for 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 three different interventions for add-on interventions in COVID-19 positive cases viz. Yashtimadhu, Guduchi + Pippali and a poly herbal formulation (AYUSH-64).

(d) & (e): Yes.
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 also been 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 populations.