Goa to establish AYUSH Department after cabinet approval

Panaji: A dedicated AYUSH department will soon be established in Goa following the state cabinet's green signal on Friday, ending its current functioning under the Directorate of Health Services (DHS).

At the national level, the Government of India had already established the Ministry of AYUSH in November 2014 to promote traditional systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy.

The Department of AYUSH—covering Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy—promotes traditional, holistic healthcare by offering natural, low-cost treatments with minimal side effects while emphasizing prevention and overall wellness. It provides comprehensive healthcare access through government hospitals and accredited institutions, enabling non-surgical treatment options and specialized care for chronic and lifestyle diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, and hypertension.

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In addition, in-patient hospitalization under AYUSH systems is covered by several insurance schemes, while the National Ayush Mission supports infrastructure development, medicine supply, and service quality through financial assistance. The department also strengthens research and education through initiatives such as the Ayurswasthya Yojana and the Ayurgyan Scheme, which aim to enhance academic research, capacity building, and professional training, thereby improving the overall effectiveness and reach of traditional healthcare systems. 

In Goa, AYUSH programmes are presently run under the Directorate of Health Services through a dedicated AYUSH cell headed by a deputy director. Over the past few years, the state has expanded its AYUSH infrastructure and services significantly.

Ayurvedic and homoeopathic facilities are available at multiple levels of the public healthcare system, including primary health centres, community health centres, urban health centres, sub-district hospitals, and district hospitals. AYUSH practitioners provide outpatient care, distribute medicines, perform therapeutic procedures, and offer lifestyle-related advice to patients. The state also has 8 AYUSH Wellness Centres that conduct yoga sessions and offer Panchakarma therapies such as janu basti, kati basti, rakta mokshan, and agni karma, contributing to holistic healthcare and wellness promotion, reports the Times of India

Currently, AYUSH-related activities in Goa are handled under broader health departments. The establishment of a separate department is intended to provide focused governance, improve coordination, and ensure better implementation of policies related to these systems. It will also enable the government to allocate dedicated resources and funding specifically for AYUSH services and infrastructure. 

The new department will also work on improving access to traditional healthcare services, particularly in underserved areas. In addition, the department will be responsible for maintaining standards in education, training, and practice within AYUSH disciplines. 

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