Parliament Question: Deaths due to Non-communicable Diseases

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2138 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31. 07. 2026 Deaths due to Non-communicable Diseases † 2138. Dr. Sambit Patra: Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that the highest number of deaths in India occur due to non-communicable diseases and in this regard heart-related diseases are a major causes of deaths; (b) the measures taken by the Government to popularise among the common people the prevention and treatment of heart-related diseases through traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Yoga, etc.; (c) the corrective measures taken by the Government to ensure sufficient availability of required AYUSH medicines for the prevention and treatment of heart-related diseases; (d) whether the Government has prepared any specific action plan for the prevention and treatment of heart-related diseases in Odisha and Ashta Laxmi region of India, i.e., North-Eastern States, if so, the details thereof; and (e) whether the Government proposes to formulate any policy for the promotion of production of medicines used in the traditional Indian System of Medicine in the country, State / UT-wise, particularly in Odisha and North-Eastern States? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) has prioritized the management of NCDs through dedicated speciality clinics that provide evidence-based Ayurveda care. In addition, the Institute has undertaken a substantial number of research initiatives focusing on NCDs (Santarpanottha Vikaras), including postgraduate dissertations, doctoral research, intramural and collaborative research projects, with the objective of generating scientific evidence for the prevention, management, and integrative care of these conditions. (b) The measures taken by the National Institutes/Council under the Ministry of Ayush and Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) are as under: i. All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) has established specialized preventive care clinics for the management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at the AIIA Hospital. In addition, the Institute operates a dedicated Yoga Clinic that offers yoga-based interventions for both outpatients and inpatients, with a special focus on the prevention and management of NCDs. Furthermore, 1AIIA regularly conducts public outreach health programmes, health camps, awareness campaigns, and educational activities to promote healthy lifestyle practices and enhance awareness regarding the prevention and management of NCDs among patients and the general public. ii. The National Institutes of Ayurveda namely North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda & Homoeopathy (NEIAH) have also taken steps such as (i) Regular OPD and IPD services in the department of Kayachikitsa with free consultation (ii) Regular Yoga demonstration sessions (iii) Dietary consultation and (iv) Various health camps in villages, schools, government departments, military establishments, and community locations, and orphanage centres on preventive healthcare wellness and management through traditional systems of medicine for chronic diseases including heart-related diseases. iii. National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) is also running preventive Cardiology OPD and conducting camps related to heart-related diseases. iv. Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) has demonstrated a measurable role in the prevention of lifestyle-related and non-communicable diseases through its therapeutic interventions and emphasis on diet regulation, Siddhar Yogam, Kayakarpam therapy, along with individualized lifestyle practices. The Siddha Udal Iyal inventory of CCRS for assessment of Body constitution forms the fundamental basis of diagnosing the diseases, prevention, prognosis and decision of treatment modality. Further, specialized treatments are being provided in the public through non communicable diseases and Yogam OPD services. v. Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) provides healthcare services through its Ayush Wellness Centres, where qualified practitioners of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy provide consultation, preventive healthcare advice, and treatment in accordance with the respective systems of medicine. In Delhi, Yoga services are also provided through CGHS Ayush Wellness Centres, where Yoga Instructors promote healthy lifestyle practices, including Yoga- based interventions for the prevention and management of lifestyle-related disorders such as cardiovascular diseases. Health education and lifestyle modification advice are imparted to CGHS beneficiaries during routine consultations at Ayush Wellness Centres. (c) National Institutes of Ayurveda, namely the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), the North- Eastern Institute of Ayurveda & Homoeopathy (NEIAH), and the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), provide consultation for various diseases, including heart diseases, and provide Ayurveda medicines free of cost to patients, subject to their availability in the respective hospitals. In addition to routine patient care, the AIIA Pharmacy also develops and manufactures customized formulations, proprietary Ayurveda medicines, and novel dosage forms to support postgraduate, doctoral, faculty-led, and collaborative research activities. CGHS ensures the availability of Ayush medicines, including those used for the prevention and management of heart-related diseases, through a centralized procurement and supply mechanism. These medicines are procured from approved licensed manufacturers in accordance with CGHS procurement guidelines and are supplied to CGHS Ayush Wellness Centres for dispensing to beneficiaries. Further, if a prescribed Ayush medicine is not available at CGHS Ayush Wellness Centre, it may be procured through the Authorized Local Chemist (ALC) mechanism, similar to the provision available under the Allopathic system. (d) & (e) At present no such proposals are under consideration. **** 2