Dept of Ayush modifies development of Ayush hospitals, dispensaries scheme

With an aim to reform the delivery mechanism of Ayush systems and to make them more patient friendly, the Union ministry of health has modified the scheme dedicated for the development of Ayush institutions. Through this scheme the centre hopes to integrate and mainstream Ayush in health care delivery system including the National Programmes and co-locate Ayush facilities with those of modern medicine hospitals so as to provide choice of treatment to the patient. Under the modified scheme, financial assistance will be provided to the states and union territories for co-location of Ayush facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs) along with funds for up-gradation of existing government Ayush hospitals and existing government, panchayat and government aided Ayush dispensaries. The notification states about supporting facilities such as programme management units at State level, health management information system, Rogi Kalyan Samities and specilaised Ayush facilities in Government tertiary Ayush hospitals with Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode and take up PPP projects in tertiary level hospitals as well. It is understood that these initiatives are undertaken by the Department of Ayush to disseminate the tried and tested concepts and practices of the Indian systems of medicine among the general public and create awareness about the same. The modified scheme also mentions about providing the supply of essential drugs to Government Ayush hospitals and dispensaries for which the government has set aside Rs.50 lakh per annum for essential drugs of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Rs.25 lakh per annum for essential drugs of homoeopathy. The Empowered Programme Committee (EPC) and Mission Steering Group (MSG) chaired by the Secretary, Health and Family Welfare and the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, respectively, set up under NRHM will consider and approve changes, as deemed necessary, in this scheme. According to sources the mainstreaming of Ayush was initiated by the government to ensure widespread use of ayurvedic medicines among the people and to make it more organised with improved level of distribution system so that more and more people get aware about this tradition way of medicine. Source:Pharmabiz