Question : NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR HUMAN RESOURCES IN AYUSH

(a) the present status of setting up of the National Commission for Human Resources in AYUSH with a view to streamlining the education sector in the Indian Systems of Medicine;

(b) the number of AYUSH gram established as envisaged by the Government for AYUSH intervention in the healthcare system across the country;

(c) the medical and research facilities created for scientific validation of AYUSH systems of medicine, State/UT-wise;

(d) whether Siddha Central Research Institute has undertaken any research on long-term diabetic patients, if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the measures being taken by the Government to extend financial assistance to Siddha Central Research Institute and other research institutes under AYUSH to take up research projects aimed at preventing various chronic diseases in the country?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

(a): The Ministry had conceived a proposal for establishing an overarching body namely, “National Commission for Human Resources for AYUSH (NCHRA)” which was modeled on lines of the “National Commi- ssion for Human Resources for Health (NCHRH) Bill, 2011”, proposed by the Department of Health and Family Welfare. Since the proposal of the Department of Health and Family Welfare to set up NCHRH was not agreed to by the Parliamentary Standing Committee, therefore, Mini- stry of AYUSH is not intending to set up NCHRA at present.

(b): AYUSH Gram has been envisaged as a component of AYUSH Services in the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) approved and notified on 29.09.2014 only. However, as of date, no AYUSH Gram has been established under this scheme by the State/UTs.

(c): There are five Research Councils, namely, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences(CCRAS), Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy(CCRH), Central Council for Research in Unani Medicines(CCRUM), Central Council for Research in Siddha(CCRS) and Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy(CCRYN) under Ministry of AYUSH. A total of 81 institutes/units are functioning under these Councils. Details are Annexed.

(d): Yes, Central Council for Research in Siddha has developed a drug namely, D5 Choornam capsules for Drug naïve Diabetes mellitus cases and have completed multi- centric trials. This drug is in powder form and is being tried as an add-on drug to the existing diabetic population.

(e) The Central Government provides financial assistance for both plan and non plan expenditure, in the form of Grants-in –aid to all Research institutes/ units inclu- ding Siddha Central Research Institute(SCRI) through the respective Research Councils to take up various research projects.