Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 4: A total of 12,500 Ayush dispensaries and sub-health centres across the country have been upgraded into Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush) under the National Ayush Mission (NAM), the Centre informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
In a written reply, Union Minister of State for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav said 40,269 Ayush dispensaries and 3,648 hospitals are currently providing outpatient (OPD) services across the country.
He said financial assistance under the Centrally Sponsored National Ayush Mission is provided to states and Union Territories based on proposals submitted through State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs).
Under the scheme, financial assistance of Rs 16.22 lakh is provided for upgrading each Ayush dispensary, while Rs 15.744 lakh is allocated for each sub-health centre to be converted into an Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush).
According to the minister, Karnataka has the highest number of Ayush facilities in the country, with 7,641 dispensaries and 274 hospitals.
Jadhav said the upgraded centres are intended to establish a holistic wellness model based on Ayush systems, including Ayurveda consultations, Yoga therapy and Naturopathy treatments, with emphasis on preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative healthcare.
He said states and Union Territories have reported an increase in patient footfall after the upgradation of Ayush dispensaries and sub-health centres, as the facilities now offer additional services such as Prakriti Parikshan and Yoga-related activities besides routine OPD care.
The minister said quality standards are monitored through National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH) assessments, third-party reviews and inspections by central teams in different states and Union Territories.
These assessments cover accreditation, training of Ayush practitioners and monitoring of the implementation of various services at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
Jadhav added that state governments have also been advised to strengthen training and capacity-building of Ayush personnel, improve referral linkages with other public health facilities and ensure greater involvement of frontline workers, particularly ASHAs, to improve healthcare outcomes.