State Delaying Ayush Hospitals: Union Minister

Responding to Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s letter regarding opening of a 50-bed Ayush Hospital in Baleswar, Union Minister of State for Ayush Shripad Naik blamed the Odisha Government for delaying the process. Naik alleged that the State Government is yet to submit the physical and financial progress of previously-approved 50-bed integrated Ayush Hospitals at Dhenkanal and Brahampur. Acting on a petition submitted by Remuna MLA Gobinda Chandra Das, Union Minister Pradhan had on November 12 written a letter to Naik stating, “The State Government of Odisha has already submitted National Ayush Mission (NAM) action plan to the Ministry of Ayush for sanction. However, the sanction order has not been released. My request is to accord sanction for opening of a 50-bed Ayush Hospital in Baleswar.” After examining the matter, Naik stated that the Ministry of Ayush had sanctioned Rs 5 crore during 2016-17 and Rs 3 crore during 2017-18 for setting up of two units of 50-bed integrated AYUSH at Dhenkanal and Brahmapur. Naik, in his letter, also mentioned that the State Government has submitted a proposal of setting up of up to 50-bed integrated Ayush Hospital at Baleswar through the State Annual Action Plan under NAM guidelines to the Ministry of Ayush during 2018-19. – Daily Pioneer