The 20th meeting of the Sub-Committee on Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) was held on November 14, 2024, at ESIC Headquarters, New Delhi. Chaired by Ms. Sumita Dawra, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoLE), the meeting focused on the implementation of the ESI Policy on Ayush – 2023 and other AYUSH initiatives aimed at improving healthcare for ESI beneficiaries.
Key Highlights:
- AYUSH Systems Integration:
- The ESI Policy on Ayush – 2023 emphasizes transitioning from part-time to regular full-time staff in AYUSH OPD services across ESI institutions to ensure better quality and commitment in care delivery.
- Expansion plans include establishing 50-bed AYUSH hospitals integrated within larger allopathic hospitals, offering treatments across Ayurveda specialties like Kaya Chikitsa, Panchakarma, and Shalya.
- Yoga Therapy Enhancements:
- Yoga therapy units will now be managed by qualified yoga therapists instead of instructors, ensuring higher-quality services for insured persons (IPs) and their families.
- Advanced Treatment Modalities:
- Panchakarma and Kshar-Sutra therapies are being promoted for their effectiveness in immunity enhancement and ano-rectal disorder management, with norms set for establishing dedicated units.
- Current AYUSH Reach:
- ESIC operates 406 AYUSH units nationwide, including 185 Ayurveda units, 91 Homeopathy units, 67 Yoga units, and others, serving over 2.6 million patients in 2023–24.
- Holistic Healthcare Collaboration:
- The meeting reiterated the importance of integrating AYUSH with allopathy for a holistic approach to healthcare, enhancing service delivery for insured individuals and their families.
Policy Approval:
The ESI Policy on Ayush – 2023, approved in February 2024, seeks to expand AYUSH services in ESI hospitals and dispensaries systematically. It includes developing units for yoga therapy, Panchakarma, and other traditional medicine practices in phases across India.
Future Impact:
These developments reflect the Central Government’s commitment to promoting traditional medicine alongside modern healthcare systems, creating holistic and accessible healthcare for ESI beneficiaries across India
