Question : Higher Usage of AYUSH Treatment

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

(a) whether despite the Government’s attempt over the years to popularise AYUSH, the people at large are still inclined towards allopathy treatment both in rural and urban areas;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether a higher usage of AYUSH treatment by urban males than their rural counterparts was noted, while less usage of the same by urban females as compared to rural females was observed; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and action taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA,
YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY
(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)
(a)&(b): As per key indicators of the NSSO 71st round on Social Consumption on Health in India conducted during January- June 2014, it was found higher inclination towards allopathy treatment around 90%, only 5 to 7 percent usage of ‘other’ including AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga or Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) has been reported both in rural and urban area. Further, taking treatment from Allopathy or Indian Systems of Medicine is the choice of the people.
(c): In this survey, it has been noted that higher usage (1.5 percentage point) of such ‘Other’ treatment by urban male than its rural counterpart while less usage of the same (0.8 percentage point) by urban female than rural female. Moreover, un-treated spell was higher in rural (both for male and female) than urban.
(d): Government of India has launched integrated Centrally Sponsored Scheme National AYUSH Mission (NAM) which envisages better access to AYUSH services; strengthening of AYUSH educational institutions, facilitate the enforcement of quality control of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani & Homoeopathy (ASU&H) drugs and sustainable availability of ASU & H raw-materials in the States/UTs. In addition, this Ministry has also taken various initiatives under the International Education and Communication (IEC) Scheme for propagation and promotion of AYUSH systems for treatment of common ailments through various media channels and other publicity activities like organizing Arogya fairs, conferences, seminars on AYUSH System.
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