In a recent Rajya Sabha statement, Union Minister for AYUSH Prataprao Jadhav unveiled a significant initiative under the National Health Mission (NHM) aimed at integrating Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (collectively known as AYUSH) into mainstream healthcare. This strategic move seeks to enhance the accessibility, affordability, and quality of healthcare services nationwide.

Minister Jadhav emphasized that the NHM supports the deployment of AYUSH doctors and paramedics in conjunction with existing healthcare facilities, including district hospitals, community health centers, and primary health centers. Priority is given to remote and underserved areas, focusing on enhancing healthcare delivery in these communities.

As of December 2023, the initiative has seen the placement of 27,421 AYUSH doctors and 4,581 paramedics across various healthcare settings. The NHM has successfully integrated AYUSH services into 13,222 facilities, comprising 6,612 primary health centers, 3,035 community health centers, 469 district hospitals, and numerous other facilities bridging sub-centre and block levels.

This holistic approach reaffirms the government’s commitment to advancing healthcare by harmonizing traditional medicine systems with contemporary medical practices.