Plan for teaching and training in AYUSH Systems of Medicine

The policy, implementation and future plan of action of Central Government to make each of indigenous Ayurveda systems of medicine under Ayush more acceptable and extended in terms of teachings, training and treatment through National AYUSH Mission (NAM) and some of the Central Sector Schemes are as follows:

(i)National AYUSH Mission (NAM)
Government of India has approved and notified National AYUSH Mission (NAM) on 29.09.2014 with the components of AYUSH services, AYUSH Educational Institutions, Quality Control of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani & Homoeopathy (ASU&H) drugs and Medicinal Plants in the States/UTs during 12th Plan. State/UT wise resource pool has been allocated for implementing various activities under NAM. State/UT Governments are eligible to submit the proposals through State Annual Action Plan (SAAP) as per the guidelines of NAM.

In order to make each of indigenous Ayurveda systems of medicine under AYUSH more acceptable  in terms of quality safety and efficacy of AYUSH drugs the current proposal is to have a vertical structure for AYUSH in the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). Government has initiated procedural steps required for setting up the vertical structure of AYUSH in the CDSCO.

(ii)Other relevant Central Sector Schemes

1. Under the Central Sector Scheme for Information, Education and Communication (IEC), AYUSH Systems including Ayurveda for treatment of common ailments are propagated and promoted through various media channels and other publicity activities like organizing Arogya fairs, providing financial support for fairs, conferences, seminars etc.

2.National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) is imparting Graduate,  Post-Graduate and Ph.D. level courses in Ayurveda.  Apart from this, the Institute also imparts a Diploma Course of AYUSH Nursing and Pharmacy.  There is also a Panchakarma Attendant Course. The Institute also provides patient care services which include various investigations in the Laboratory, free dispensing of Medicines in OPD and IPD. The Institute has a Pharmacy and also scheme under SCP/TSP for providing free medical care to around a dozen SC and ST inhabited Districts of Rajasthan where regular Mobile Camps are organized for free consultation, treatment and dispensing of medicines to the population.

3. The Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (RAV) runs two types of courses under traditional ‘Guru Shishya Parampara’ method. These courses are MRAV for those who possess post graduation in Ayurveda and CRAV for Ayurvedic Graduates. The basic idea of these courses is to provide in-depth knowledge and prepare young scholars, proficient in practice and texts of Ayurveda, to become good practioners and teachers of Ayurveda.

(b):Presently there are two AIIMS like prestigious centres of Ayurveda under AYUSH systems of medicine as detailed below:-

1. The National Institute of Ayurveda(NIA),  has one College and one Hospital. The Institute is committed to provide high quality medical care to all sections of the society and also manages a number of Specialty Clinics like well-equipped Panchakarma Unit, Clinics for Diabetes, Geriatric, Vitiligo, Child Mental Health, Kshara-Sutra and various Para-Surgical Procedures, etc. Medicines in IPD and OPD are dispensed free of cost to the patients.

2. All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi is an apex Institute of Ayurveda with 200 bedded referral hospital and to impart education in the field of Ayurveda  M.D. and Ph.D level. The institute is in advance stage of construction.

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of AYUSH, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik in reply to an unstarred question in Rajya Sabha today.