Centrally Sponsored Schemes for Promoting AYUSH: Features

Centrally Sponsored Schemes for Promoting AYUSH: Features

Question - Good governance also incorporates health care. Examine the features of centrally sponsored schemes which have been proposed by the Indian government for overall growth of AYUSH medical practices like Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy.

• Government has laid down the National Policy on Indian systems of Medicine and Homeopathy 2002

• This is for overall growth of AYUSH

• Following are the key centrally sponsored schemes for promoting these medical practices:

A. National AYUSH Mission/NAM

• GoI has notified the National AYUSH Mission on 29th September 2014
• It aims at:

- Improved access to AYUSH services
- Building of AYUSH educational institutions
- Quality control of Ayurveda,, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy

• New initiatives under NAM include:

- School Health Programme
- Public outreach activity on enhancing awareness about strength of AYUSH
- Adopting villages to promote AYUSH
- Interventions through AYUSH Gram
- Early prevention of non-communicable diseases and promotion of Behaviour Change Communication through AYUSH

B. Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of Information, Education and Communication

• Minister of AYUSH has implemented the Central Sector Scheme for promotion of:

- Information
- Education
- Communication

• Promotion of R&D in the field of AYUSH is also part of this scheme

• This scheme also provides for:
- Arogya Fairs both at the National and State Level;
- Holding of Health Fairs/ Melas / Exhibitions under Government, Departments, State Governments
- Preparation and distribution of original publicity material on AYUSH including:
- Multimedia/print campaigns
- Audio visual materials
- Financial assistance for AYUSH organisations, NGOs
- Educational/research institutes for organising seminars, workshops and conferences on AYUSH system
- Providing incentives to AYUSH industry to participate in the same

C. Central Sector Scheme for Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants

• This scheme has been implemented since 2008 and continued in the 12th plan.

• It promotes support for:

- Survey
- Inventory making
- In-Situ and Ex-Situ Conservation
- Linkages with R&D

D. Centre of Excellence Scheme

• Creative and innovative proposals for revamping AYUSH system are part of this scheme

• Both government and private organisations fall under the scheme

• Around INR 10 crore is provided for period of 3 years for implementing the scheme

E. Central Sector Grant in Aid Scheme

• AYUSH Ministry is also implementing a Central Sector Grant-in-Aid Scheme for promotion of AYUSH intervention in public health initiatives

• AYUSH is promoted in community health care and around INR 1.50 crore for 3 years is provided to grantee organisations furthering this

Facts and Stats

• Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy was created in 1995 and renamed as Department of AYUSH in November 2013

• AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy
• Department is under Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

• Department is to provide attention on development of education and research in the medicinal system

• Upgrading of AYUSH mission and educational standards is also a goal of this department; this includes improving quality of medicines and ensuring more awareness about AYUSH