Ayush

India has a great tradition of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homeopathy and Yoga to provide comprehensive health care. For time immemorial, these ancient systems of medicine are catering for the need of the Indian population. People have faith in these medicines which are cost-effective, accessible and easily available in every part of the country. These systems were officially recognized by the centre and state governments but had been operating in isolation to cater for the health care needs from the village level to the district level.                        

The umbrella term AYUSH is the acronym of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. There are many areas where the traditional systems have evidence of better cure and disease management e.g. Ayurveda has a better cure for certain chronic lifestyle disorders like piles, fistula, jaundice, arthritis, menstrual disorders; Unani in menstrual disorders, leucoderma; Siddha in psoriasis; Homeopathy in allergic disorders. Similarly, Yoga and Naturopathy have proven strength in managing lifestyle disorders and psychosomatic diseases. Therefore there is a need for service integration by providing the best from each system to patients.

With the establishment of the National Health Care Mission, a conscious decision was taken to mainstream AYUSH systems at PHC, CHC, SDH, DH, WH etc. As a core strategy of NRHM, the AYUSH doctors and paramedics are being posted at these institutions. This has provided the AYUSH and allopathic health services under the same roof which is very convenient to the consumers. It also provides a choice of treatment to the patients.