The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the continuation of the National Ayush Mission from April 1, 2021, to Match 31, 2026. The mission would continue as a centrally sponsored scheme with financial implication of Rs 4,607.30 crore, of which Rs 3000 crore is central share and Rs 1,607.30 crores state share.
The National Ayush Mission, launched on September 15, 2014, is being implemented by the Ayush Ministry. It is aimed at providing cost-effective AYUSH- Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and homoeopathy- services and ensuring universal access by upgrading Ayush hospitals and dispensaries, co-location of Ayush facilities at primary and community health centres and district hospitals, and strengthening institutional capacity at the state level by upgrading AYUSH educational institutions.
Furthermore, the mission seeks to reduce disease burden and out of pocket expenditure by empowering people to "self-care". By supporting the state/UT governments for providing Ayush health services, the mission also seeks to bridge the gap in health services in vulnerable and far-flung areas. Setting up 50 bedded integrated Ayush hospitals, Ayush public health programmes, operationalization of 12,500 Ayush health and wellness centres to provide "holistic wellness" based on Ayush principles are the targets of the scheme.