Will the Minister of AYURVEDA, YOGA AND NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:
(a) the extent of success achieved so far in the efforts to find treatment for ‘COVID-19’ with the help of remedies/drugs of AYUSH;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the steps taken by the Government to take care of people during the COVID-19 crisis; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS AND ADDITIONAL CHARGE OF MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA,
YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a) & (b): The Interdisciplinary AYUSH Research and Development Task Force constituted by Ministry of AYUSH 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).The task force have taken up the proposals received from screening committees of Councils and proactively explored possibilities based on available leads.
(c) & (d): Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India has taken the following steps to take care of people during the COVID-19 crisis: -
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 written letter 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. Guidelines for Registered Practitioners of respective system of AYUSH (including Ayurveda and Homoeopathy) have been prepared by Research Councils and National Institutes with their team of experts and same is vetted by the Interdisciplinary AYUSH Research and Development Task Force of Ministry of AYUSH. These vetted guidelines are made available in public domain for the benefit of more than 700000 registered AYUSH practitioners to help in the management of COVID 19 pandemic uniformly.
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 Mobile app base population study in around 1.5 crores respondents. 85.1% of the respondents reported use of AYUSH measures for prevention of COVID-19, among which 89.8% respondents agreed to have benefitted from the practice of AYUSH advisory. 79.1% of the users responded that the AYUSH measures gave an overall feeling of good health. 63.4% reported improvement in parameters of wellbeing like sleep, appetite, bowel habits, stamina and mental wellbeing.
iv. Ministry of AYUSH and MoHFW have jointly provided training to 33,000 AYUSH master trainers. Total 66045 AYUSH Personnel has also obtained training at igot.in platform on continual basis. Ministry of AYUSH has coordinated with MoHFW for utilisation of AYUSH manpower as COVID warrior for the management of COVID-19 with identified roles. Total 105681 AYUSH Personnel has been trained by State AYUSH Directorates and total 39555 AYUSH Personnel are deployed for Covid-19.
v. Considering the importance of immunity boosting measures in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak, Ministry of AYUSH has promoted use of ready-made Ayush formulation i.e. ‘Ayush Kwath’ (Ayurveda) or ‘Ayush Kudineer’ (Siddha) or ‘Ayush Joshanda’(Unani) in the interest of health promotion to the masses.
vi. Ministry of AYUSH has issued an order on 28.07.2020 regarding directions to state/UT licensing Authorities to forward license application of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathic medicines underwent clinical trial/ research studies for COVID-19.
vii. Ministry of AYUSH advised to States/UTs to assign the AYUSH facilities under their administrative control for supporting the treatment of the Covid 19 patients.