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New Delhi, August 10, 2024 — The Government of India is moving towards a significant milestone in its healthcare policy by proposing the inclusion of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) packages under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri – Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). This initiative, aimed at expanding the scope of healthcare services under the scheme, seeks to provide comprehensive health coverage to nearly 55 crore beneficiaries, including 12.34 crore families representing the bottom 40% of the Indian population.
A series of meetings between the National Health Authority (NHA) and the Ministry of AYUSH have been held to deliberate on the implementation model for this proposed integration. Wider consultations with stakeholders, including representatives from implementing states and Union Territories, are ongoing to ensure a smooth rollout. Discussions are centered around various aspects of the integration, including package design, cost structure, hospital onboarding processes, Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs), defined treatment outcomes, and the financial implications of these new inclusions.
Expansion of AYUSH Services Under Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)
Currently, Central Government employees and pensioners enrolled in the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) benefit from both allopathic and AYUSH systems of medicine. The CGHS operates 110 AYUSH Wellness Centres across India, alongside an Ayurvedic hospital. Additionally, 20 Yoga internees, in collaboration with the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), provide yoga consultations at various CGHS Wellness Centres.
Furthermore, CGHS has empanelled 54 AYUSH Day Care Therapy Centres in Delhi/NCR and 45 In-Patient Department (IPD) AYUSH Health Care Organisations (HCOs) nationwide. These facilities offer holistic healthcare options under the AYUSH systems, adhering to CGHS-approved procedures and rates, underscoring the government’s commitment to integrating diverse medical systems for the well-being of its employees and pensioners.
AYUSH Initiatives Under Ayurswasthya Yojana
Since the fiscal year 2021-22, the Ministry of AYUSH has implemented the Ayurswasthya Yojana, a Central Sector Scheme with two primary components: AYUSH and Public Health, and the Centre of Excellence (CoE). Under the AYUSH and Public Health component, the scheme provides for the distribution of AYUSH medicines and the organization of free medical camps in rural, tribal, and urban slum areas, aiming to benefit at least 1.5 lakh individuals, with a minimum of 1,000 people receiving direct medical interventions.
National Ayush Mission (NAM) and State-Level AYUSH Facilities
Public health being a state subject, the primary responsibility for ensuring the availability of AYUSH treatment lies with State and Union Territory (UT) Governments. To support this, the Ministry of AYUSH is implementing the National AYUSH Mission (NAM), a centrally sponsored scheme designed to develop and promote AYUSH systems across the country.
Key provisions under NAM include the operationalization of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AYUSH Health Centres) by upgrading existing AYUSH dispensaries and sub-centres, co-locating AYUSH facilities in Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and District Hospitals (DHs), and supplying essential drugs to government AYUSH institutions. Additional initiatives include the establishment of new AYUSH colleges, the development of infrastructure for undergraduate and postgraduate AYUSH institutions, and the setting up of integrated AYUSH hospitals.
Conclusion
The proposed integration of AYUSH packages under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY marks a significant step towards expanding the reach of traditional and holistic healthcare in India. As the discussions progress, the government aims to ensure that the benefits of AYUSH systems are made accessible to a larger section of the population, furthering the vision of a holistic healthcare system for all.
This information was provided by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha yesterday.
