Will the Minister of AYURVEDA, YOGA AND NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has initiated any study to assess the impact of the preventive medicines given by various medicinal streams under AYUSH against the COVID-19 pandemic?
(b) if not, whether the Government is considering to formulate any such study; and
(c) whether the Government has undertaken any steps for the promotion of AYUSH medicines against COVID-19 disease?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)
(a) & (b): Yes, Ministry has launched Clinical research studies on AYUSH interventions as prophylactic interventions for Covid-19 in high risk population, through Research Councils and National Institutes under Ministry of AYUSH. Ayush Sanjivani mobile app developed by the Ministry 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 population.
(c) (i) Ministry has 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 had 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) Ministry of AYUSH has formed an Inter-disciplinary AYUSH R&D 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). 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 population.
(vi) A joint proposal with Brazil and South Africa has been submitted by the Ministry under BRICS STI Framework Programme, Response to COVID-19 pandemic coordinated call for BRICS multilateral projects 2020 for undertaking collaborative research studies including clinical trials on Ayurvedic Medicine for mitigating COVID-19.