This document summarizes a response from the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, to a parliamentary question regarding the functionality and resourcing of AYUSH wellness centers, dispensaries, and hospitals, particularly in rural and backward regions. The Ministry acknowledges concerns about facilities being non-functional, understaffed, or lacking essential resources. However, the response clarifies that public health is primarily a state subject, placing the responsibility for manpower deployment, infrastructure strengthening, and operationalization of AYUSH facilities on respective State/UT governments.
Despite this, the Ministry of AYUSH supports the states' efforts through the centrally sponsored National AYUSH Mission (NAM). NAM provides financial assistance to State/UT governments for activities proposed in their State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs), aligning with NAM guidelines. This support includes:
* Operationalizing Ayush Health Wellness Centres (AHWCs), now renamed as Ayushman Arogya Mandir Ayush, by upgrading existing Ayush dispensaries and Sub-health Centres.
* Co-location of Ayush facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and District Hospitals (DHs).
* Upgrading existing standalone Government Ayush Hospitals.
* Upgrading existing Government/Panchayat/Government-aided Ayush Dispensaries, including construction of new buildings to replace rented/dilapidated accommodations or to establish new dispensaries.
* Setting up 10-30-50 bedded integrated Ayush Hospitals.
* Supplying essential drugs to Government Ayush Hospitals, Government Dispensaries, and Government/Government-aided Teaching Institutional Ayush Hospitals.
* Ayush Public Health Programs
* Establishment of new Ayush colleges in States with inadequate Government sector AYUSH teaching institutions.
* Infrastructural development of Ayush Under-Graduate Institutions and Ayush Post-Graduate Institutions, including add-on PG Pharmacy/Para-Medical Courses.
In conclusion, while the primary responsibility lies with the states, the Ministry of AYUSH, through NAM, actively supports and provides financial assistance to State/UT governments to strengthen AYUSH infrastructure and services across the country.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of AYUSH: The Indian government ministry responsible for developing and promoting AYUSH systems of medicine.
Shri Zia Ur Rehman: Member of Lok Sabha who posed the question regarding AYUSH wellness centres.
Shri Prataprao Jadhav: The Minister of State IC of the Ministry of AYUSH, who provided the answer to the question.
National AYUSH Mission NAM: A centrally sponsored scheme by the Ministry of AYUSH to promote the development of AYUSH systems in India.
StateUT Government: Refers to the government of individual States and Union Territories within India.
Ayush Health Wellness Centres AHWCs: AYUSH healthcare facilities being established by upgrading existing dispensaries and sub-health centers.
Ayushman Arogya Mandir Ayush: New name for Ayush Health Wellness Centres AHWCs
Primary Health Centres PHCs: Basic healthcare facilities in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AYUSH
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2107
TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2025
AYUSH Wellness Centre in Rural and Backward Areas
2107. Shri Zia Ur Rehman:
Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that in various parts of the country, particularly in rural
and backward regions, AYUSH wellness centres, dispensaries, and hospitals are either
nonfunctional, severely understaffed or lacking in basic medicines and infrastructure, thereby
failing to provide proper healthcare to the general public;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any steps are being taken by the Government to strengthen AYUSH
infrastructure, ensure adequate availability of doctors, medicines, and paramedical staff in
such centres, and make traditional systems of medicine more accessible and reliable for the
rural population, under schemes like the National AYUSH Mission (NAM); and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH
(SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) to (d) Public Health being a State Subject, the primary responsibility regarding
deployment of manpower, strengthening of infrastructure, operationalization of AYUSH
wellness centres, dispensaries and hospitals in various parts of the country, including rural
and backward regions, lies with the respective State/UT Government. However, under
Centrally Sponsored Scheme i.e. National Ayush Mission (NAM), Ministry of Ayush is
supporting the efforts of State/UT Governments for overall development & promotion of
Ayush system in the country by providing financial assistance to them for different activities
proposed through State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) as per the provisions of NAM
guideline. The Mission inter-alia makes provision for following activities:
(i) Operationalization of Ayush Health & Wellness Centres (AHWCs), now renamed as
Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush), by upgrading existing Ayush dispensaries and Sub
health Centres.
(ii) Co-location of Ayush facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health
Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs)
1(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
(v) Setting up of 10/30/50 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 Programs
(viii) Establishment of new Ayush colleges in the States where availability of Ayush teaching
institutions is inadequate in Government Sector.
(ix) Infrastructural development of Ayush Under-Graduate Institutions and Ayush Post-
Graduate Institutions/add on PG/ Pharmacy/Para-Medical Courses.
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