Ayush Wellness Centres under National Ayush Mission

• 23 Mar 2020

Why in News

Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the inclusion of AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres (AYUSH HWCs) in the National AYUSH Mission (NAM).

• AYUSH HWC is a component of the Ayushman Bharat.

Background

• The National Health Policy 2017 advocated for mainstreaming the potential of AYUSH systems (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-rigpa and Homoeopathy) within a pluralistic system of integrative healthcare.
• In 2018, the Government of India decided that 1.5 lakh health & wellness Centres would be created by transforming existing sub-health centres and primary health centres to deliver comprehensive primary health care.
• So, it was decided that the Ministry of AYUSH would operationalize 10% of the total sub-health centres as HWCs under Ayushman Bharat.

Key Points

• Cost and time:
  
  • Expenditure- ₹3399.35 Crore (with a ratio of almost 2:1 between the centre and the states respectively)
  • Time- Within a period of five years from 2019-20 to 2023-24.
• AYUSH HWCs operating under NAM will have the following objectives:
  
  • To establish a holistic wellness model based on AYUSH principles and practices focusing on preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative healthcare by integration with the existing public health care system.
  • To provide informed choice to the public in need, by making the AYUSH services available.
  • To spread community awareness about lifestyle, yoga, medicinal plants and provision of medicines for selected conditions as per strength of AYUSH systems.
• After consulting with the States/UTs, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and other ministries involved, the Ministry of AYUSH has proposed two models for operationalization of AYUSH HWCs:
  
  • Upgradation of existing AYUSH dispensaries.
  • Upgradation of existing Sub Health Centres (SHCs).
• Benefits:
  
  • Enhanced accessibility to achieve universal health coverage for affordable treatment.
  • Reduced burden on secondary and tertiary health care facilities.
  • Reduced out of pocket expenditure due to self-care model.
  • Integration of AYUSH in implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 (Good Health and Well-being), as mandated by the NITI Aayog.
  • Validated holistic wellness model in target areas.

National Health Policy, 2017

• It seeks to reach everyone in a comprehensive integrated way to move towards wellness.
• It aims at achieving universal health coverage and delivering quality health care services to all at affordable cost.

National AYUSH Mission

• It was launched by the Department of AYUSH under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, during the 12^th Plan for implementation through States/UTs.
• Objectives:
  
  • To promote AYUSH medical systems through cost effective AYUSH services.
  • To strengthen the educational systems.
  • To facilitate the enforcement of quality control of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy (ASU&H) drugs and sustainable availability of the raw-materials needed in them.
  • It envisages flexibility of implementation of the programmes which will lead to substantial participation of the State Governments/UT.
• Elements of the National AYUSH Mission:
  
  • Obligatory Components
    
    • AYUSH Educational Institutions.
    • AYUSH Services.
    • Medicinal Plants Quality Control of ASU&H Drugs.
  • Flexible Components
    
    • AYUSH Wellness Centres comprising Yoga and Naturopathy.
    • Tele-medicine.

Source: PIB