The Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) has initiated a number of measures to strengthen existing national institutes by introducing advanced patterns of teaching and clinical practice of different systems. The need to prevent the mushroom growth of sub-standard colleges and active involvement of the regulatory Councils and State Governments to achieve this was stressed upon.
Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for "Development of Institutions," financial assistance was given to UG and PG medical institutions of AYUSH systems. Up-gradation of some academic institutes to the status of State Model Institutes of Ayurveda/Siddha/Unani/Homoeopathy was also pursued.
Standardisation of drugs, quality control and improved manufacturing practices were also given due attention. The Department also took a few initiatives for integrating AYUSH with the national health care programme.
A number of disease conditions were identified for which AYUSH has efficacious interventions. Clinical trials of such drugs would be undertaken under protocols approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in future.
The first phase of Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) project formally launched in March, 2002 was completed and the second phase was expedited.
The Medicinal Plants Board set up and operationalised to coordinate all aspects related to the development of the medicinal plants sector was further strengthened and continued to make progress in implementing a number of promotional and cultivational schemes. Cultivation practices have been printed and circulated. Medicinal Plants Boards, on the lines of the National Medicinal Plants Board, with similar objectives and functions were set up in 32 States/UTs.
There are two national level regulatory bodies namely Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) and Central Council of Homoeopathy (CCH). These Councils are responsible for lying down and maintaining the minimum standards of education, maintaining Central Register of practitioners and regulating the professional practices by the practitioners of the Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy respectively. Steps were also initiated to finalise a draft on Central Council for Yoga and Naturopathy.