The government of Andhra Pradesh is planning to set up integrated hospitals for each revenue division under its Ayush (Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) vision plan across the state. As part of this, the state government under the chairmanship of chief secretary I Y R Krishna Rao discussed a vision plan for the Ayush department in the state.
In its first meeting, the governing body of National Ayush Mission held in Hyderabad emphasized on extensive promotion and implementation of various traditional systems of health care both in the rural and urban areas to provide affordable healthcare to the larger sections of the population. The meeting was attended by L V Subrahmanyam, special chief secretary, health, M Ravichandra, secretary, finance and D Nalini Mohan, commissioner Ayush.
“The alternative system of medicines namely Ayurveda, Unani, Naturopathy and Homoeopathy has a great potential for curing various ailments like diabetes, cancers, skin diseases and other chronic diseases. Except for the emergency and surgeries, the Indian system of medicine can be used as an effective alternative to the allopathic medicines. Only thing we need is to promote its research and help develop new drugs and advanced treatment procedures,” said a practicing doctor of ayurvedic stream.
In view of promoting the alternative system of medicine in the state, the state government is planning to create 30 bedded hospitals in every revenue division. These hospitals will be established in an integrated manner wherein it will house all the alternative systems like Ayurveda, Naturopathy and Homoeopathy and Yoga centres at one place. At the same time the government is also planning to create 50 bedded hospitals at the headquarters of every district.
Earlier, as the government of India has already approved National Ayush Mission contained Flexi pool under public private partnership, (PPP), the state government is also planning to pool funds for creation of these hospitals through PPP mode.
Apart from establishing hospitals, the state government also has plans to establish wellness centres in all municipalities and municipal corporations and temple towns in association with endowment and tourism departments.
Similarly to promote the alternative system of medicine in the rural areas, the government also has plans to establish 10-20 bedded hospitals in every mandal headquarters across the state.
Initial priority will be given to upgradation of existing dispensaries, hospitals and teaching institutions of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy.