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First All India Survey on AYUSH
Context:
National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) conducted the first all-India ‘Ayush’ survey.
More on News:
- The survey was conducted from July 2022 to June 2023, as part of 79th National Sample Survey (NSS).
- This survey covered the entire Indian Union, excluding a few inaccessible villages in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Information was collected from 1,81,298 households, including 1,04,195 in rural areas and 77,103 in urban areas.
Key Findings
- Awareness of Ayush: Approximately 95% of rural and 96% of urban respondents are aware of Ayush.
- At least one member is aware of Medicinal Plants/Home remedies/Local Health Tradition/Folk medicine in about 85% of rural and 86% of urban households.
- Usage of Ayush: Around 46% of rural and 53% of urban individuals used Ayush for prevention or treatment of ailments in the past 365 days.
- Preferred System: Ayurveda is the most commonly used system across both rural and urban areas for treatment.
- Ayush is predominantly used for rejuvenation and preventive measures.
- Expenditure on Ayush: Estimates of average expenditure (Rs.) per person on Ayush during the last 365 days for rural and urban India:
Background of AYUSH:
- The word AYUSH is derived from the Sanskrit phrase “ayushmanbhava,” meaning long life.
- This phrase has been used since the Mahabharata period to bless people with a healthy long life.
- The word is universally adopted for “traditional and non-conventional systems of health care and healing” including:
- Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Naturopathy, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, and Homoeopathy.
- It provides an integrative healthcare modality for complete physical, mental, social, and spiritual health.
- During the colonial period in India, these systems of medicine faced some negligence. After independence,the Indian government showed indulgence in AYUSH.
- The Department of Indian System of Medicine and Homoeopathy (ISM&H) was established in 1955 to develop Indian systems of medicine and homoeopathy.
- Renamed in 2003 to the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy.
- The Ministry of AYUSH was formed in 2014 to revive traditional Indian systems of medicine and ensure their optimal development and propagation.
Government Initiatives to promote AYUSH:
- AYUR GYAN Scheme
- AYURSWASTHYA Yojana
- Champion Services Sector Scheme.
- Promotion of International Cooperation.
- National Medicinal Plant Board
- Budgetary allocations for AYUSH over the years: