Central Government is implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) through States/UTs for development and promotion of AYUSH systems of medicine including Ayurvedic system. The Mission inter-alia makes following provisions for promotion of AYUSH systems including Ayurvedic system.

1. Co-location of AYUSH facilities at Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs) and Districts Hospitals (DHs).
2. Up gradation of exclusive State Government AYUSH Hospitals and Dispensaries.

• III. Setting up of upto 50 bedded integrated AYUSH Hospital.
• IV. Upgradation of State Government Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate Educational Institutions.

5. Setting up of new State Government AYUSH Educational Institutions in the States where it is not available in Government Sector.

• VI. Strengthening of State Government/State Government Co-operatives/Public Sector Undertakings for manufacturing of quality medicines in AYUSH Systems.

7. Strengthening of State Drug Testing Laboratories for ASU &H Drugs for stringent quality control.
8. Support for cultivation of Medicinal Plant including processing and post-harvest management to ensure supply of quality raw material for AYUSH medicine and other products.

Further, Central Government has approved 12,500 AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres to be operationalized by Ministry of AYUSH through State/UT Governments under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) in a phased manner by the year 2023-24.It is envisaged to upgrade AYUSH Dispensaries and Sub-Health Centres identified by State/UT Governments as AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres for providing AYUSH based preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative care.

In addition, Ministry of AYUSH has also taken various initiatives under the Information Education and Communication (IEC) Scheme for propagation and promotion of AYUSH systems for treatment of common ailments through media and other publicity activities like organizing Arogya fairs, conferences, seminars on AYUSH System. Further, Ministry is also supporting different activities under NAM like AYUSH gram, Public Health outreach activities, information education and communication (IEC) activities, organization of Yoga, conducting peripheral OPD and Medical camps, behavioral change communication, training of village health workers towards identification and use of local medicinal herbs.

As Public Health is a State subject, opening of AYUSH dispensaries come under the purview of respective State/UT Governments. There is no provision under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) for opening new AYUSH dispensaries in every district and block across the country.

The Minister of State (The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy), Sh. Kiren Rijiju (Additional Charge) stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.

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MV/SJ