The healthcare facilities under Indian systems of medicines and homoeopathy witnessed a slow growth in the recent years notwithstanding the efforts by the government to push the treatment as a healthy choice for the people, if the latest statistics with the Department of Ayush are any indication.

The average annual growth rate for Ayush hospitals during 1980-2012 was 6.5 per cent, whereas the healthcare sector as a whole in India registered over 15 per cent growth in the country during the same period.

While Ayurveda sector grew by 7.3 per cent, Unani recorded 8.5 per cent. Siddha and Homoeopathy grew by 4.1 and 3.3 per cent respectively during the period. Maximum annual increase of 38.2 per cent and 44.2 per cent were registered in 1981-82 and 1980-81 in case of Siddha and Homoeopathy hospitals respectively, according to the latest figures.

The total number of Ayush hospitals were 3193 and the bed capacity stood at 58246 by April 2012, with Ayurveda alone accounting for 75 per cent of the total beds and hospitals. Unani, Siddha, Yoga, Naturopathy and Homoeopathy accounted for the remaining 24.2 per cent hospitals.

As many as 1.3 per cent hospitals were under the control of 'CGHS & Central Government Organisations' and 89.0 per cent hospitals were being managed by the State Governments & Union Territories directly. 9.4 per cent hospitals fall under 'others' category and only 0.4 per cent hospitals were being managed by local bodies.

Average annual growth rate of 2.5 per cent was realised in the bed strength of Ayush hospitals during 1991 - 2012. The maximum annual growth rate of 36.9 per cent was registered in the bed strength of Ayush hospitals in 1999-2000. Average annual growth rates of 2.9 per cent, 1.1 per cent, 3.3 per cent,  and 0.9 per cent has been observed in the bed strengths of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy hospitals respectively since 1991.

“Ayurveda hospitals were spread over 28 states and union territories of India. The spread of hospitals all over the country was not found to be uniform, where the state of Uttar Pradesh had nearly three-fourth of Ayurveda hospitals. However, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu and Lakshadweep were devoid of any Ayurveda hospital,” as per a recent report by the Department.

“Homoeopathy hospitals prevailed in 28 states with maximum of 21.8 per cent hospitals (with 22.6 per cent bed capacity) in Maharashtra, whereas states of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and Union Territories of Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep and Puducherry were devoid of Homoeopathy hospitals. 81.6 per cent of the total Unani hospitals with 29.5 per cent bed capacity existed in the state of Uttar Pradesh only.

“In case of Siddha, hospitals existed only in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and A&N Island. 98.9 per cent Siddha hospitals with 92 per cent bed strength existing in the State of Tamil Nadu only. Maximum of 42.9 per cent Yoga hospital with 17.2 per cent of bed strength existed in Karnataka. Naturopathy hospitals existed in the States of Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Manipur and Rajasthan with a maximum of 54.5 per cent hospitals with 35.0 per cent bed strength in Manipur,” the report said.