Union Cabinet approved the launching of National AYUSH Mission

On 15^th September 2014, Union Cabinet on approved the launching of National AYUSH Mission (NAM).

The word AYUSH is acronym for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy.

The aim of NAM is to address the gaps in health services particularly in vulnerable and far-off areas.

What is AYUSH mission?

AYUSH is a governmental body in India purposed with developing education and research in ayurveda (Indian traditional medicine),yoga, naturopathy, unani, siddha, and homoeopathy, and other alternative medicine systems.

Created in March 1995 as the Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy (ISM&H), AYUSH received its current name in March 2003. It operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, in its election manifesto said it would increase public investment to promote AYUSH and start integrated courses for Indian system of medicines and modern science. 

Historical Background for National AYUSH Mission (NAM)

India owns the ancient systems of medicine like Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy. These medicines are a treasure house of knowledge for preventive and promotive healthcare.

These medicines have great potential to serve the medical needs of large sections of Indian society as they are easily accessible, affordable and have growing economic value.

Considering this, the Department of AYUSH in April 2012 planned to establish a National AYUSH Mission with the motto of delivering health for all and to coordinate different programmes related to the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) under different streams of Indian medicine.

Highlights National AYUSH Mission (NAM)

• The improvement of AYUSH education through enhancement in the number of upgraded educational institutions.
• Better access to AYUSH services through increase in number of AYUSH hospitals and dispensaries, availability of drugs and manpower.
• Sustained availability of quality raw material for AYUSH systems of medicine.
• 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.

Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH)

Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy (ISM&H) was created in March 1995. In November 2013, it was re-named as Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH). The department is under Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

The aim of the department is to provide focussed attention to the development of education and research in these systems of medicine. Moreover, the Department laid emphasis on upgradation of AYUSH educational standards, quality control and standardization of drugs, improving the availability of medicinal plant material, research and development.

Bodies under the control of the Department of AYUSH are:

·         Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS)

·         Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS)

·         Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM)

·         Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH)

·         Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN)