Executive Summary:
The Ministry of AYUSH addresses a question regarding the impact of AYUSH schemes on Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) beneficiaries. The Ministry implements the National AYUSH Mission (NAM) through State/UT Governments, with budget provisions for SCSP and TSP categories, contingent on suitable proposals from the States/UTs. While the primary responsibility for data maintenance and healthcare accessibility lies with the State Governments, the central government undertakes various measures to improve the effectiveness of NAM.
Key Points / Main Content:
National AYUSH Mission (NAM) Implementation:
* NAM is implemented nationwide, including for SC/ST/OBC groups, through State/UT governments.
* NAM includes separate budget heads for SCSP and TSP categories.
* Grant allocation requires suitable proposals from State/UT governments via State Annual Action Plans (SAAP).
* Details of major provisions under NAM are available in Annexure-I.
Responsibilities and Data Maintenance:
* Public Health is a State subject.
* State Governments are primarily responsible for scheme implementation, data maintenance, and enhancing AYUSH healthcare accessibility.
Improvement Initiatives:
* Central teams conduct field visits, one-to-one meetings, and Regional Review Meetings.
* Third-party evaluations and NABH assessments are also carried out.
* Increased footfall observed at AYUSH facilities, including AAM Ayush, after strengthening/upgradation.
* AAM Ayush provides OPD services, Prakriti Parikshan, Yoga activities, and awareness about medicinal plants.
* State/UT Governments are advised to provide training/capacity building for AAM Ayush teams.
* Strengthening of referral linkages with other public health facilities and involving field-level workers (ASHAs) are recommended for better outcomes.
Major Activities under NAM (Annexure I):
* Operationalization of Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) Ayush (formerly Ayush Health Wellness Centres AHWCs) through upgrades.
* Co-location of Ayush facilities at PHCs, CHCs, and DHs.
* Upgradation of standalone Government Ayush Hospitals.
* Upgradation/Construction of Government/Panchayat/Government-aided Ayush Dispensaries.
* Setting up of 30-50 bedded integrated Ayush Hospitals.
* Supply of essential drugs to Government Ayush Hospitals/Dispensaries/Teaching Institutions.
* Ayush Public Health Programs.
* Establishment of new Ayush colleges in States with inadequate teaching institutions in the Government Sector.
* Infrastructural development of Ayush Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate Institutions.
Impact Analysis:
State/UT Governments:
* Impact: Responsible for submitting suitable proposals (SAAP) to avail grants under NAM, implementing the scheme, maintaining relevant data, and enhancing AYUSH healthcare accessibility.
* Action Required: Submit SAAPs as per NAM guidelines, ensure effective scheme implementation, maintain data on beneficiaries, and take steps to improve AYUSH healthcare accessibility.
SC/ST/OBC Beneficiaries:
* Impact: Intended beneficiaries of the NAM scheme, with the goal of improved healthcare accessibility and reduced disease burden.
* Action Required: Utilize the available AYUSH facilities and programs.
Ministry of AYUSH:
* Impact: Oversees the implementation of NAM and addresses questions regarding its impact on specific beneficiary groups.
* Action Required: Conduct field visits, reviews, and evaluations to improve the effectiveness of NAM.
AYUSH Facilities (Hospitals, Dispensaries, etc.):
* Impact: Subject to upgradation and strengthening under NAM to improve service delivery.
* Action Required: Participate in upgradation programs, improve service offerings, and strengthen referral linkages.
AAM Ayush Teams:
* Impact: Responsible for providing a range of services, including OPD, Prakriti Parikshan, and Yoga activities.
* Action Required: Participate in training/capacity building programs, strengthen community linkages, and effectively involve field-level workers (ASHAs).
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of AYUSH: The Indian government ministry responsible for developing and promoting AYUSH systems of medicine.
SCSTOBC: Refers to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, which are designated groups in India that benefit from specific government programs and policies.
National Ayush Mission NAM: A Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by the Ministry of AYUSH through State/UT Governments to promote AYUSH systems of medicine.
State/UT Governments: The governments of the States and Union Territories of India, responsible for implementing the National Ayush Mission (NAM) at the local level.
State Annual Action Plan SAAP: A plan submitted by State/UT Governments outlining their proposed activities and budget for utilizing grants under the National Ayush Mission (NAM).
Ayush Health Wellness Centres AHWCs: Now renamed as Ayushman Arogya Mandir Ayush, these are upgraded existing Ayush dispensaries and Sub health Centres.
Primary Health Centres PHCs: Government healthcare facilities at the primary level.
Community Health Centres CHCs: Government healthcare facilities at the community level.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AYUSH
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3437
TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2025
Impact of AYUSH Schemes on SC/ST/OBC Beneficiaries
3437. Adv. Chandra Shekhar:
Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:
(a) the details of data maintained by the Government regarding the outcomes of AYUSH
schemes for SC/ST/OBC groups specifically in terms of disease burden and healthcare
accessibility;
(b) whether the Government has any plans for systematic studies, impact assessments or
third-party evaluations in order to further improve the effectiveness of these initiatives for
SC/ST/OBC beneficiaries; and
(c) 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) Ministry of Ayush is implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme i.e. National Ayush
Mission (NAM) through State/UT Governments for entire population of the country
including SC/ST/OBC groups. Under NAM, there is separate budget heads to release Grant-
in-aid under SCSP and TSP categories. However, to avail the grants, suitable proposals are
required to be submitted by the State/UT Governments through State Annual Action Plan
(SAAP) as per the provisions of NAM guideline. Details of major provisions under NAM are
enclosed as Annexure-I. Public Health being a State Subject, the primary responsibility
regarding implementation of the scheme including maintenance of data & enhancing Ayush
health care accessibility comes under the purview of respective State Government.
(b) & (c) Further, in order to improve the effectiveness of various initiatives under NAM
scheme for the benefit of entire population of the country including SC/ST/OBC
beneficiaries, field visits by the Central team, one to one meetings, Regional Review
Meetings are also carried out apart from third party evaluations and NABH assessment. It has
been observed by visiting teams that footfall of the beneficiaries visiting to Ayush facilities
including AAM (Ayush) has been subsequently increased after Strengthening & upgradation
of these facilities. In case of AAM (Ayush) substantial increase in the footfall of patients has
been observed because, in addition to OPD services, these facilities are also providing
1various other services like Prakriti Parikshan, Yoga related activities at the level of facility as
well as community, awareness about uses of common medicinal plants etc. Further, State/UT
Governments have been suggested by the visiting team for appropriate training & capacity
building of AAM (Ayush) team, strengthening of referral linkages with other public health
facilities, effective involvement of field level workers specially ASHAs etc. for better
outcome of the activities being conducted through different Health facilities including AAM
(Ayush).
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2Annexure-I.
The National Ayush Mission (NAM) has provision for following major 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).
(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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