More than 3.5 lakh registered practitioners of AYUSH in the country: Naik

The total number of registered Homoeopathic, Unani, Siddha and Naturopathy practitioners throughout the country as on 01st January 2016 is 352251. The total number of AYUSH hospitals operating in the country as on 1st April 2016 are 3639 and number of dispensaries are 26405.

Public Health is a State subject, the primary responsibility to provide health care services lies with the respective State/UT Governments. However, Government of India through the Centrally Sponsored scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) has taken steps to bring AYUSH medical services in the mainstream through the following activities:

(i) Co-location of AYUSH facilities at Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs).

(ii) Up gradation of exclusive State Government AYUSH Hospitals and Dispensaries.

(iii) Setting up of up to 50 bedded integrated AYUSH Hospital.

(iv) Upgradation of State Government Educational Institutions.

(v) Setting up of new State Government AYUSH Educational Institutions including Yoga and Naturopathy in the State where it is not available.

(vi) Strengthening of State Government/ Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy (ASUSH) Pharmacies and Drug Testing Laboratories (DTL).

(vii) Cultivation and Promotion of Medicinal Plants.

National AYUSH Mission (NAM) has provision for setting up of upto 50 bedded integrated AYUSH Hospital including Naturopathy in all the States/UTs including J&K and Jharkhand. However, States/UTs may avail eligible financial assistance by projecting the same through State Annual Action Plan (SAAP) as per NAM guidelines.