AYUSH

AYUSH MAINSTREAMING :

The Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy (ISM&H) were given an independent identity in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 1995 by creating a separate Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) in November 2003. The department is entrusted with the responsibility of developing and propagating officially recognized systems, namely, Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy Siddha, Unani, and Homoeopathy. This was done in explicit realization of contributions these ancient and holistic systems can make towards the health care of the people. These systems have marked superiority in addressing chronic conditions and offer a package of promotive and preventive interventions. The AYUSH systems of medicine and its practices are well accepted by the community, particularly, in rural areas. The medicines are easily available and prepared from locally available resources, economical and comparatively safe. With this background, it will be more useful for the mainstreaming/integration of AYUSH systems in National Health Care Delivery System under “National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)”. Jharkhand in particular, is habitated with rich flora and fauna. The people particularly the rural people making use of the herbal medicines extracted from the herbal plants found in the forests. Therefore integration of AYUSH with modern system of medicine is supposed to improve the health condition of the people of Jharkhand. All the AYUSH activities in the state are being coordinated by a well established AYUSH department under department of Health and Family Welfare, Jharkhand. Department is headed by AYUSH Director with one Additional Director and 3 Deputy Director namely, Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathy. Jharkhand State Medicinal Council was established in 2008. District AYUSH medical officer are posted in 22 districts out of 24 districts. Still 2 more DAMO is needed for the remaining 2 districts. Presently 163 Ayurvedic, 72 Homeopathic and 32 Unani state dispensaries have been established. Besides this AYUSH Dispensaries 161 posts for AYUSH Doctors has been provided in Additional PHC which is presently running under control of civil surgeon. We have established 10 District Joint dispensaries along with 53 Ayurvedic, 30 Homeopathic and 14 Unani.

Startegy for AYUSH mainstreaming:

• Strengthening of the Jharkhand State AYUSH Medical Council and State Medicinal plant Board
• Mapping and Setting up of AYUSH health facilities.
• Establishment of State level Warehouse of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopath) with three Store keepers.
• Organise AYUSH MELA in all ten tribal districts.
• Training of ANMs and Anganwadi workers on AYUSH system of medicine