Union Ayush Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, has called for the strengthening of Ayush programs aimed at enhancing the quality of life for people. During the Regional Review meeting of the National Ayush Mission, which saw the presence of several dignitaries including Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai, Union Minister of State for Ayush & Women and Child Development, and health ministers from various states, significant discussions were held regarding the progress of Ayush programs and their impact on public health.
Sarbananda Sonowal emphasized the rich heritage and potential of traditional forms of medicine, which have been passed down through generations to promote better, healthier, and happier lives. He highlighted the importance of integrating these traditional systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Yoga, Naturopathy, Sowa Rigpa, and Homeopathy, with modern medicine.
Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, efforts have been made to scientifically integrate these systems. The Union Ayush Minister also shed light on the various Ayush programs that are contributing to the well-being of the population. These include:
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Ayurvidya: This program focuses on promoting a healthy lifestyle among school children through Ayush practices.
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Supraja: An initiative aimed at maternal and neonatal intervention to improve maternal and child health.
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Vayomitra: A geriatric program based on Ayush principles, catering to the health needs of the elderly population.
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Prevention and Management of Musculoskeletal Disorders: Addressing issues like osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders through Ayush practices.
The Ministry of Ayush is actively working on operationalizing 12,500 Ayush Health and Wellness Centres (AHWCs) across the country by 2023-24. These centers aim to establish a holistic wellness model based on Ayush principles, empower the masses for self-care, and reduce the disease burden and out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Substantial financial support has already been released to southern states and union territories under the National Ayush Mission, with a significant number of AHWCs already operational.
Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai stressed the importance of measuring outcomes rather than just outputs in Ayush programs. He suggested the need to realign strategies to better plan, execute, and report performance to facilitate the measurement of outcomes. This approach, he believes, will help learn from best practices and strengthen collaboration among all stakeholders.
With the concerted efforts of the Ministry of Ayush and the support of various states and union territories, more and more people are benefiting from the holistic and traditional approach to healthcare provided by Ayush systems. In 2022, over 8.42 crore people experienced the benefits of Ayush medicine through Ayush Health and Wellness Centres.
