Executive Summary:
This document presents the Ministry of AYUSH's response to questions regarding Ayurvedic doctors in Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and the promotion of Ayurvedic treatment. It details the distribution of Ayurvedic facilities, efforts to increase the popularity of Ayurveda, and the financial support provided through the National AYUSH Mission (NAM). The data regarding colocated Ayush facilities at PHCs is based on the NHM-MIS database as of December 31, 2024.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Ayurvedic Doctors in PHCs:**
* The responsibility for sanctioning posts for Ayurvedic doctors lies with State/UT Governments; the Central Government does not maintain this data.
* The Government of India promotes colocating AYUSH facilities at PHCs, CHCs, and DHs.
* The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare supports the engagement and training of contractual AYUSH doctors/paramedics under the National Health Mission (NHM).
* The Ministry of AYUSH supports AYUSH infrastructure, equipment, furniture, and medicines under the National AYUSH Mission (NAM).
* 119 Ayurveda Medical Officers are posted against 121 sanctioned posts under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).
* **Increased Demand for Ayurvedic Treatment:**
* The demand for Ayurvedic treatment has increased in the last five years.
* **National AYUSH Mission (NAM):**
* NAM has been implemented since 2014-15 to develop, promote, and popularize AYUSH systems, including Ayurveda.
* The Ministry supports State/UT governments through financial assistance for various activities as per NAM guidelines.
* Budget allocation for NAM has increased from Rs. 705.00 Crore in 2020-21 to Rs. 1200.00 Crore in 2024-25.
* **NAM Activities:**
* Operationalization of Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush).
* Colocation of Ayush facilities at PHCs, CHCs, and DHs.
* Upgradation of existing standalone Government Ayush Hospitals.
* Upgradation/Construction of new/existing Government/Panchayat/Government aided Ayush Dispensaries.
* Setting up of 50/30/10 bedded integrated Ayush Hospitals.
* Supply of essential drugs to Government Ayush Hospitals/Dispensaries.
* Ayush Public Health Programmes.
* Behaviour Change Communication (BCC).
* Establishment of new Ayush colleges.
* Infrastructural development of Ayush Undergraduate/Postgraduate Institutions.
* **Promotion of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) in AYUSH:**
* The Ministry of AYUSH implements a Central Sector Scheme for IEC to create awareness regarding AYUSH Systems of Medicine.
* Activities include organizing Arogya Fairs, Yoga Fests/Utsavs, Ayurveda Parvs, celebrating important days, participating in health fairs, and conducting multimedia campaigns.
Impact Analysis:
* **State/UT Governments:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for sanctioning posts for Ayurvedic doctors and implementing AYUSH initiatives.
* *Action Required:* Submit State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) to receive financial assistance under NAM and implement AYUSH programs effectively.
* **Ministry of Health & Family Welfare:**
* *Impact:* Supports the engagement and training of contractual AYUSH doctors and paramedics.
* *Action Required:* Continue supporting AYUSH doctors/paramedics under the National Health Mission (NHM).
* **Ministry of AYUSH:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for promoting and popularizing AYUSH systems, providing financial assistance, and implementing central sector schemes.
* *Action Required:* Continue implementing NAM and IEC schemes, monitor their effectiveness, and allocate resources accordingly.
* **General Public:**
* *Impact:* Increased awareness and access to Ayurvedic treatment options.
* *Action Required:* Utilize available AYUSH facilities and participate in awareness programs to benefit from Ayurvedic treatments.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of AYUSH: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and promotion of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy.
Ayurvedic doctors: Medical professionals who practice Ayurveda, a traditional system of medicine from India.
Primary Health Centres PHCs: Government-run healthcare facilities providing basic medical care in rural and urban areas in India.
Bihar: A state in eastern India, specifically mentioned in the context of sanctioned posts for Ayurvedic doctors.
National Health Mission NHM: A centrally sponsored scheme of the Indian government to address the health needs of under-served rural areas.
National Ayush Mission NAM: A centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of AYUSH for the development and promotion of AYUSH systems of medicine.
Central Government Health Scheme CGHS: A scheme providing comprehensive medical care facilities to central government employees and pensioners.
Ayushman Arogya Mandir: A network of upgraded Ayush Dispensaries and Sub Health Centers under the National Ayush Mission.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AYUSH
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2149
TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2025
Ayurvedic Doctors in PHCs
2149. Dr. Mohammad Jawed:
Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of sanctioned posts for Ayurvedic doctors at Primary Health Centres (PHCs)
in the country State/UT-wise and district-wise, particularly in the State of Bihar;
(b) the current strength of Ayurvedic doctors serving in various healthcare facilities across the
country, State/UT-wise;
(c) whether the demand for Ayurvedic treatment has increased in the country during the last five
years and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the initiatives/measures being undertaken by the Government to promote and popularise
Ayurvedic treatment among the general public?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH
(SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) & (b) Public Health being a State subject, the primary responsibility for sanctioning of posts
of Ayurvedic doctors in all categories comes under the purview of respective State/UT
Governments and accordingly, no such data is maintained by Central Government.
Further, Government of India has adopted a strategy of Co-location of Ayush facilities at
Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals
(DHs), thus enabling the choice to the patients for different systems of medicines under a single
window. The engagement of contractual Ayush doctors/ paramedics and their training is being
supported by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare under National Health Mission (NHM),
while the support for Ayush infrastructure, equipment/ furniture and medicines is being provided
by the Ministry of Ayush under National Ayush Mission (NAM), as shared responsibilities. The
State/UT-wise status of co-located Ayush facilities at PHCs, is furnished at Annexure.
Under Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), 119 Ayurveda Medical Officers are
posted against 121 sanctioned posts.
(c) & (d) Yes. Ministry of Ayush is implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National
Ayush Mission (NAM) since 2014-15 through State/UT Governments for development,
promotion and popularise Ayush systems including Ayurveda to create awareness among people
about the strength of Ayush system of medicines for the treatment of common ailments. Under
NAM, Ministry supports the efforts of State/UT Governments by providing financial assistance
1to them under different activities as per the provision of NAM guidelines against their submitted
State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs). After implementation of NAM Scheme, the scale of
achievement for development of Ayush system of medicine including Ayurveda in the State/UT
has increased significantly. Accordingly, budget allocation of NAM enhanced gradually during
last five years from Rs. 705.00 Crore (in 2020-21) to Rs.1200.00 Crore (in 2024-25) for different
activities of NAM Scheme. The Mission inter-alia makes provision for the following activities: -
(i) Operationalization of Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush) by upgrading existing Ayush
Dispensaries and Sub Health Centers.
(ii) Co-location of Ayush facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health
Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs).
(iii) Upgradation of existing standalone Government Ayush Hospitals.
(iv)Upgradation of existing Government/Panchayat/Government aided Ayush
Dispensaries/Construction of building for existing Ayush Dispensary (Rented/ dilapidated
accommodation)/ Construction of building to establish new Ayush Dispensary in the area where
there are no Ayush facilities available.
(v) Setting up of 50/30/10 bedded integrated Ayush Hospitals.
(vi) Supply of essential drugs to Government Ayush Hospitals, Government Dispensaries and
Government/Government aided Teaching Institutional Ayush Hospitals.
(vii) Ayush Public Health Programmes.
(viii) Behaviour Change Communication (BCC).
(ix) Establishment of new Ayush colleges in the States where availability of Ayush teaching
institutions is inadequate in Government Sector.
(x) Infrastructural development of Ayush Under-Graduate Institutions and Ayush Post-Graduate
Institutions/ add on PG/ Pharmacy /Para-Medical Courses.
Further, the Ministry of Ayush also implements a Central Sector Scheme for Promotion
of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) in Ayush to create awareness regarding
Ayush Systems of Medicine. This scheme aims to reach out to all sections of the population
across the country and under this Scheme, Ministry organizes National/State level Arogya Fairs,
Yoga Fests/Utsavs, Ayurveda Parvs, Celebrate Important Days of Ayush Systems including
Ayurveda day, Participate in Health Fairs/ Melas & Exhibitions, Provide financial assistance for
organizing seminars, workshops, conferences and conduct multimedia campaigns etc.
*****
2Annexure
The State/UT-wise status of co-located Ayush facilities at PHCs
Sl. No. Name of the State/UT PHC
1 Bihar 0
2 Chhattisgarh 454
3 Himachal Pradesh 0
4 Jammu & Kashmir 373
5 Jharkhand 97
6 Madhya Pradesh 275
7 Odisha 886
8 Rajasthan 144
9 Uttar Pradesh 627
10 Uttarakhand 44
11 Arunachal Pradesh 50
12 Assam 71
13 Manipur 78
14 Meghalaya 54
15 Mizoram 10
16 Nagaland 9
17 Sikkim 4
18 Tripura 84
19 Andhra Pradesh 273
20 Goa 22
21 Gujarat 868
22 Haryana 106
23 Karnataka 366
24 Kerala 0
25 Maharashtra 20
26 Punjab 88
27 Tamil Nadu 475
28 Telangana 352
29 West Bengal 387
30 Andaman & Nicobar Islands 20
31 Chandigarh 28
32 Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu 9
33 Delhi 0
34 Ladakh 32
35 Lakshadweep 4
36 Puducherry 39
Total 6349
Source: as per NHM-MIS database as on 31.12.2024
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