The Indian government has recently resolved to extend the National Ayush Mission (NAM) until 2026. This initiative, sponsored by the central government, is set to cost an estimated total of Rs. 4,603 crore, with the Centre supporting a share of Rs 3,000 crore and the states filling in the remaining amount. In addition to this, new online portals for the Ayush sector have also been introduced.
Ayush: Traditional & Non-Conventional Health Care Systems
Ayush encompasses traditional and non-conventional systems of health care and healing, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy. These practices offer a range of positive features such as flexibility, accessibility and affordability. Embraced by a vast segment of the public and relatively inexpensive, these medicine systems have the potential to provide the healthcare solutions needed by substantial sections of our population.
Introduction of the National Ayush Mission
The Department of AYUSH under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the National Ayush Mission in September 2014 during the 12th Plan for implementation through States/Union Territories (UTs). Presently, this mission is executed by the Ministry of Ayush. It aims to cultivate expansion in the AYUSH sector to promote the holistic health of Indian citizens.
National Ayush Mission Components
The National Ayush Mission comprises both obligatory and flexible components. Obligatory components include AYUSH services, AYUSH educational institutions, quality control of ASU&H (Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani & Homoeopathy) drugs, and medicinal plants. Flexible components encompass AYUSH wellness centers involving yoga and naturopathy, telemedicine, innovations in AYUSH including public-private partnership, IEC (Information, Education and Communication) activities, and a voluntary certification scheme.
Expected Outcomes of the National Ayush Mission
The mission anticipates progress in various areas. It hopes to provide better access to AYUSH healthcare services through an increase in healthcare facilities, improved availability of medicines, and trained manpower. The plan also strives to enhance AYUSH education and reduce communicable/non-communicable diseases via targeted public health programmes using AYUSH systems of healthcare.
Understanding Central Schemes
Central schemes fall into two main categories; Central Sector Schemes and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS). Central sector schemes are entirely funded and implemented by the central government and are primarily formulated on subjects from the Union List. Centrally sponsored schemes involve financial participation from both the centre and states. These schemes are further divided into Core of the Core Schemes, Core Schemes and Optional schemes. An example of these schemes includes the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), where state governments are required to incur 25% of material expenditure.