The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on September 15 gave its approval for launching of the National AYUSH Mission (NAM) with its core and flexible components.
The proposed Mission will address the gaps in health services through supporting the efforts of State/Union Territories Governments for providing AYUSH health services/education in the country, particularly in vulnerable and far-flung areas. Under NAM special focus will be given for specific needs of such areas and for allocation of higher resources in their Annual Plans. The Mission will help in:
i. the improvement of AYUSH education through enhancement in the number of upgraded educational institutions;
ii. better access to AYUSH services through increase in number of AYUSH hospitals and dispensaries, availability of drugs and manpower;
iii. providing sustained availability of quality raw material for AYUSH systems of medicine; and
iv. improving availability of quality Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy (ASU&H) drugs through increase in number of pharmacies, drug laboratories and improved enforcement mechanism of ASU&H drugs.
India possess an unmatched heritage represented by its ancient systems of medicine like ASU&H which are a treasure house of knowledge for preventive and promotive healthcare. The positive features of the Indian systems of medicine namely their diversity and flexibility; accessibility; affordability, a broad acceptance by a large section of the general public; comparatively lesser cost and growing economic value, have great potential to make them providers of healthcare that the large sections of our people need.