The department of Ayush has intimated all state governments to make concrete efforts to integrate Indian System of Medicine with the mainstream healthcare. In this connection, Centre has devised a 15-pronged strategy which focuses on co-locating Ayush (Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) in primary health centres (PHCs), strengthen Ayush education, train nurses/ paramedics and pursue public private partnerships (PPP) in hospitals-laboratories.
In a communiqué to the state government, via DO No. 2-280151/471, S Jalaja, secretary department of Ayush stated that with increasing lifestyle disorders, there is a resurgence of holistic system of healthcare. There is no single healthcare system which provides solutions to heath problems. Evidently, there is need for a new inclusive and integrated healthcare regime which should direct health policy and programmes in future. "While the private sector investment in Ayush drug manufacturers and medical education is substantial, the provision for public health and research are relatively small. Therefore bringing Ayush into the mainstream healthcare delivery system is a major policy objective of this department," Jalaja said.
In fact, Ayush integration into mainstream healthcare is also one of the objectives under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). Efforts are on to co-locate Ayush facilities in PHCs, Community Health Centres (CHCs) and the district hospitals. In this process some States have shifted the existing successful dispensaries into PHCs and CHCs.
State healthcare departments which do not have dedicated Ayush wings will need to create a separate department with full fledged director for various systems of medicine under the directorate of Ayush. The government has also recommended a new post of director general who could be from the Indian Forest Service cadre to be created to monitor the Ayush wing in the State health departments.
The 15 pronged strategy calls for immediate action. These include co-locate Ayush facilities in PHCs, CHCs and district hospitals as envisaged under NRHM, besides, ensure the presence of Ayush doctors, support staff and regular supply of related medicines.
Strengthen Ayush colleges by appointing teaching & non teaching staff, provision of infrastructure and equipments in addition to separate Ayush nursing colleges to train nurses and paramedical staff.
Hospitals attached teaching institutions can now scout for public private partnership with credible institutions.
Start an Ayush wing in major allopathy hospitals or at places wherever feasible to provide alternative choice the public. Set-up 'Rogi Kalyan Samithi' on NRHM pattern in all the major hospitals to provide autonomy and flexibility.
Ensure Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to be followed by all the production units in the State. Strengthen the office of the drugs control for Ayush drugs and the system of inspection for GMP.
Set-up full fledged state level testing lab for Ayush drugs and accredit the same. Pursue PPP in the running lab wherever feasible.
Support the Medicinal Plant Boards. Integrate cultivation of medicinal plants and manufacturing so that system becomes self sustainable. The Union government has also asked the states to take advantage of the various Plan Schemes under Ayush department.
According to JSD Pani, president, Karnataka Indian Medicine Manufacturers Association, the effort by the government will provide the much-needed boost to the sector. However the focus should be on highest quality practices at every stage from production, education to healthcare delivery.