Centre to integrate AYUSH with new, upcoming AIIMS

Government of India has adopted a strategy of co-location of AYUSH facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs), thus enabling the choice to the patients for different systems of medicines under a single window. AYUSH services have been allocated at 470 DHs, 3,149 CHCs, 204 health facilities other than CHC at or above block level but below district level, 6,891 PHCs and 2,894 health facilities above Sub-centre (SC) but below block level, as on 30th September, 2023.

AYUSH is integrated with various new and upcoming All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. A Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) comprising members from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Ministry of Ayush has been constituted to work out modalities for effective and expeditious integration of AYUSH in new and upcoming AIIMS.

Wellness-related activities like Yoga, cycling, and meditation, are conducted in Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs). As on 31.01.2024, total number of wellness sessions conducted including yoga are 3.10 crore under Ayushman Arogya Mandir including Ayushman Melas.

In February 2018, the Government of India announced establishment of 1,50,000 Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) [now renamed as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs)] across the country by December 2022. A total of 1,64,478 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been established and operationalized, till 31.01.2024, by transforming existing Sub-Health Centres (SHC) and Primary Health Centres (PHC) in rural and urban areas to deliver the expanded range of comprehensive primary healthcare services with complete 12 package of services that includes preventive, promotive, curative, palliative and rehabilitative services which are universal, free, and closer to the community.

The teleconsultation services, available at operational AAMs, enables people to access the specialist services closer to their homes addressing concerns of physical accessibility, saving cost to care, shortage of service providers and to ensure continuum of care. Total teleconsultation conducted at Ayushman Arogya Mandir including Ayushman Melas are 19.41 crore, as on 31.01.2024.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
MB Bureau