Calls for Better Fund Utilization, Strengthened Infrastructure, and Global Expansion
New Delhi: A parliamentary panel has urged the Ministry of AYUSH to step up efforts in integrating traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare, while also criticizing the underutilization of allocated funds.
The Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, led by Rajya Sabha MP Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav, highlighted concerns over funding inefficiencies, lack of infrastructure, and the need for better resource allocation to enhance AYUSH services, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
Need for Integrated AYUSH Hospitals
The committee emphasized the urgent requirement for integrated AYUSH hospitals in various districts, noting that such projects require substantial financial support.
“The Ministry is not fully utilizing its allocated funds. It is crucial to optimize resources through efficient program implementation, strategic infrastructure expansion, and robust tracking systems to monitor spending,” the report stated.
It recommended a phased approach to establishing AYUSH hospitals, prioritizing underserved districts while exploring cost-effective models for hospital operations.
Quality Improvement & Global Expansion
To fully integrate AYUSH into the national healthcare system, the panel stressed the need for:
- Strengthening AYUSH services in Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and District Hospitals (DHs)
- Enhancing research, regulation, and quality standards
- Expanding the AYUSH market globally
- Sustainably developing medicinal plants
The report urged the Ministry of AYUSH to develop large-scale, mission-mode programs to enhance skilled healthcare personnel, ensuring long-term sustainability in the sector.
Additionally, the panel strongly recommended engaging with first-world nations such as the US and UK to promote AYUSH practices among the Indian diaspora and foreign nationals.
Call for a Unified AYUSH Drug Regulatory Authority
The report also proposed consolidating all AYUSH drug-related standards under a single authoritative body, advocating for an independent AYUSH drug controller in alignment with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
“A centralized system will improve efficiency, uniformity, and credibility in the development of pharmacopoeial standards,” the report noted.
Boosting Research & Ethical Compliance
The committee acknowledged that 271 AYUSH research projects have been completed over the past five years. However, it stressed the importance of publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals and conferences for greater credibility.
It also urged the Ministry to ensure compliance with ethical and regulatory guidelines, reinforcing accountability in Ayurvedic medicine research.
Path Forward
The panel recommended that the Ministry engage with the 16th Finance Commission to secure adequate funding for the next five years, ensuring a steady expansion of AYUSH initiatives.
It also encouraged promoting AYUSH healthcare tourism, urging the Ministry to develop strategies that would position India as a global hub for traditional medicine and wellness tourism.
As the demand for holistic healthcare rises, the government faces growing pressure to transform AYUSH into a fully integrated, regulated, and globally recognized medical system.
