Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:
(a) the extent to which success has been achieved so far in finding a cure for the ‘COVID-19‘ pandemic with the effective measures and medicines of AYUSH;
(b) whether any steps has been taken by the Ministry to take care of people during COVID-19; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA,
YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY
(DR. MUNJPARA MAHENDRABHAI)
(a) i. The scientists of reputed research institutions of the country have found that AYUSH-64, a polyherbal formulation developed by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush is helpful in the treatment of asymptomatic, mild and moderate COVID-19 infection as an adjunct to standard care. The Ministry of Ayush-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) collaboration has recently completed a robust multi-centre clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AYUSH 64 in the management of mild to moderate COVID-19 patients. Further, Kabasur Kudineer, a Siddha preparation was also subjected to clinical trials to study the efficacy in COVID-19 patients by Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) under Ministry of Ayush also found useful in the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 infection.
ii. In order to provide a maximum benefit of Ayush systems of medicine, a Nationwide campaign for the distribution of AYUSH-64 and Kabasura Kudineer through Research Councils and National Institute under Ministry of Ayush across the country.
iii. Ministry of Ayush has developed Ayush Sanjivani mobile app and has documented the impact assessment of effectiveness, acceptance and usage of Ayush advisories & measures in the prevention of COVID-19 through the Mobile app base population study in around 1.5 crores respondents. 85.1% of the respondents reported the use of Ayush measures for the prevention of COVID-19, among which 89.8% of respondents agreed to have benefitted from the practice of Ayush advisory.
iv. Ministry of Ayush has formed an Inter-disciplinary AYUSH R&D Task Force chaired by Prof. Bhushan Patwardhan and represents scientists including ICMR, DBT, CSIR, AIIMS and AYUSH Institutions. The Interdisciplinary AYUSH Research and Development Task Force has formulated and designed clinical research protocols for prophylactic studies and add-on interventions in COVID-19 positive cases through a 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 polyherbal formulation (AYUSH-64. The task force has taken up the proposals received from screening committees of Councils and proactively explored possibilities based on available leads.
v. Ministry of Ayush has launched interdisciplinary studies involving AYUSH interventions for COVID-19 based on the Task Force recommendations. Under various research organizations and National Institutes under the Ministry of AYUSH, 126 research studies at 152 centres in the country have been initiated on AYUSH interventions.
vi. Ministry of Ayush recommended self-care guidelines for preventive health measures and boosting immunity.
vii. Ministry of Ayush has issued guidelines for Registered Practitioners of the respective system of AYUSH. The Director Generals of Research Councils and Directors of the National Institutes with their team of experts have prepared these guidelines and same is vetted by the Interdisciplinary AYUSH Research and Development Task Force of Ministry of AYUSH. These guidelines are made available in the public domain to benefit the registered AYUSH practitioners to help in the management of COVID-19 pandemic uniformly.
viii. Ministry of Ayush has also released Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha preventive measures for self-care during COVID-19 and Guidelines for Ayush Practitioners for COVID-19 Patients in Home Isolation.
ix. Ministry of Ayush has also issued an advisory for Ayush practitioners on ethical practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
x. Ministry of Ayush has released Home care guidelines for children and Advisory for AYUSH Practitioners about prophylactic care in Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
(b) & (c): The details regarding the steps taken by the Ministry to take care of people during COVID-19 are at Annexure.