170 AYUSH Treatment Packages to be Included in Ayushman Bharat Scheme

The packages will cover treatments in Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) for non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension.

Union Minister of State for AYUSH, Prataprao Jadhav, has recently announced that 170 AYUSH treatment packages will soon be included in the government's flagship Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).

The packages will cover treatments in Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

Jadhav stated that consultations are in the final stages, with discussions ongoing with insurance companies and the National Health Authority (NHA) to finalize the package cost structures.

Expanded Access to AYUSH Treatments

The inclusion of AYUSH treatments in the AB-PMJAY scheme aims to offer affordable alternative therapies to 12 Cr families covered under the scheme, which provides INR 5 Lakh health cover per family annually for secondary and tertiary care.

This move marks a significant step in integrating traditional medicine systems with mainstream healthcare and will allow AB-PMJAY beneficiaries to access AYUSH treatments.

The minister highlighted that these packages would be aligned with the highest standards of care, ensuring quality and affordability.

To further increase access to AYUSH medications, special medical stores will be established at the tehsil level, modeled after the Janaushadhi Kendras, which provide generic medicines at affordable prices.

“These stores will enable the availability of a wide variety of herbal and traditional medicines, improving public healthcare access in both urban and rural areas,” Jadhav said during a press conference highlighting the first 100 days of the new government.

Jadhav added that the final structure of AYUSH packages under the AB-PMJAY is nearing completion. A Strategic Purchasing Committee has been formed to establish cost structures for the treatments.

Discussions with the NHA are in the last phase, and broader stakeholder consultations with states and union territories have also been conducted to ensure smooth implementation.

AYUSH Camps for Elderly Surpass Targets

Jadhav also underscored the government’s efforts to enhance healthcare for the elderly. Initially, the Ministry of AYUSH committed to organizing 10,000 camps for elderly citizens within the first 100 days of the new government.

However, the ministry exceeded its target by organizing 14,692 AYUSH camps across India. These camps offered free consultations, therapies, and holistic health guidance using Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.

“I am proud to say that our outreach efforts have successfully addressed the healthcare needs of the elderly population, offering them comprehensive care,” Jadhav stated.

'One Herb, One Standard' & 'Har Ghar AyurYog'

Jadhav also discussed the 'One Herb, One Standard' initiative, a collaboration between the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homeopathy (PCIM&H) and the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC).

Signed on August 6, 2024, this initiative aims to standardize herbal medicines across India, ensuring their efficacy and safety.

In addition, the Ministry of AYUSH has launched the 'Har Ghar AyurYog' initiative, aimed at increasing the adoption of Ayurveda and Yoga among the general public.

One key component of this initiative is integrating Yoga into the Fit India School certification, encouraging schools to adopt holistic health practices.

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