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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AYUSH
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5742
TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2026
AYUSH Healthcare Services for Women in Tamil Nadu
5742. Dr. D Ravi Kumar:
Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:
(a) whether AYUSH healthcare services for women have been expanded in Tamil Nadu,
particularly in rural and coastal districts;
(b) the number of women beneficiaries under AYUSH wellness and maternal health programmes
during the last three years;
(c) whether traditional medicine is being integrated with public health systems for women’s
wellness; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to address anaemia, reproductive health and mental well-
being of women through AYUSH interventions?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH
(SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) & (b) Public Health being a State subject, expansion of Ayush health care services for women
in different regions of Tamil Nadu including rural and coastal districts comes under purview of
respective State Government. As reported by State Government of Tamil Nadu they have taken
following steps for expanded Ayush health care services for women.
• Under the National Ayush Mission (NAM), Ayush services have been co-located in
Primary Health Centres (PHCs), District Hospitals and Health & Wellness Centres,
improving access in rural areas.
• Tamil Nadu has established a large network of integrated Ayush units (over 1,660 units)
within public health facilities, ensuring outreach across districts.• Special focus has been given to women through Siddha-based maternal care interventions
such as the Magaperu Sanjeevi Pettagam scheme for pregnant and lactating mothers.
• Maternal care schemes (e.g., Siddha kits for pregnant women)
• Community-based interventions (e.g., tribal and rural outreach programmes covering
thousands of beneficiaries)
Further, as reported by State Government of Tamil Nadu a total of 2,99,301 women beneficiaries
were provided with Magaperu Sanjeevi Kit medicines during year 2023-24 & 2024-25.
(c) As reported by State Government of Tamil Nadu, traditional medicine is being integrated
with the public health system by:
• Ayush systems (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) are
integrated with mainstream healthcare under Ayushman Bharat and NAM frameworks.
• Co-location of Ayush services in Primary Health Centers (PHCs) and Government
hospitals enables holistic care including maternal and preventive health services.
• Tamil Nadu has actively integrated Siddha and other Ayush streams into Government
hospitals, enhancing women-centric care and wellness services.
(d) As Public Health is a State subject, taking steps to address anaemia, reproductive health and
mental well-being of women through Ayush interventions comes under purview of respective
State Government. As informed by State Government of Tamil Nadu they have taken following
initiative in this regards:-
1. Anaemia control:
• Collaboration between Ministry of Ayush and other Ministries for nutrition and anaemia
control programmes, especially among women and adolescent girls.
• Implementation of the School Health Programme through Siddha in 385 Block PHCs
enables adolescent school girls to receive medicines for adolescent anaemia, uterine
health tonics, and immune boosters, which are being distributed. This scheme
implemented in Tamil Nadu under National Ayush Mission in 2019-20 to present.
• Use of Ayush formulations and Siddha interventions to improve haemoglobin levels in
women (e.g., maternal kits in Tamil Nadu).
2. Reproductive and maternal health:
• Provision of AYUSH-based antenatal and postnatal care through Health & Wellness
Centres and other Siddha wings.• Distribution of traditional medicine kits and wellness support for pregnant and
lactating women in Tamil Nadu.
3. Mental well-being and holistic health:
• Promotion of Yoga and Naturopathy for stress management, mental health and lifestyle
disorders.
• Community outreach programmes and wellness activities focusing on preventive
healthcare for women.
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