Srinagar, May 11: Secretary to Government, Health & Medical Education Department Bhupinder Kumar on Thursday chaired the 14th Executive Committee Meeting of National Ayush Mission (NAM) wherein the State Annual Action Plan (SAAP) for the financial year 2023-24 to the tune of more than Rs 100 crore under National Ayush Mission formulated by Directorate of Ayush, J&K was deliberated in detail and recommended for submission to Ministry of Ayush, Government of India for approval.
Director Ayush, J&K Dr Mohan Singh gave a detailed power-point presentation regarding various components of the State Annual Action Plan – Ayush Services, Ayush Health & Wellness Centres, Ayush Educational Institutions, Flexipool and Admin cost. He informed that each component of the SAAP has been prepared in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Ayush, GoI keeping in view the best interest for the promotion, proliferation and expansion of Ayush Services in every nook and corner of J&K.
He said that during the Financial Year 2023-24, 129 more Ayush Dispensaries are proposed to be upgraded to Ayush Health & Wellness Centres, which will, in turn, result in the up-gradation of all Ayush Dispensaries to Ayush Health & Wellness Centres in the UT i.e. 571 achieving saturation.
Already 442 Ayush Dispensaries have been upgraded to Ayush H&WCs in the UT of J&K for the last 3 years. Singh further informed that during the current financial year, it is proposed to establish more Integrated Ayush Hospitals in J&K.
The Ministry of Ayush, Government of India has already sanctioned five 50-bedded hospitals in Kupwara, Kulgam, Kishtwar, Samba and Kathua districts. He informed the committee that two 10-bedded integrated Ayush hospitals are proposed to be established at Lower Gari Garh, in Jammu Division, and Bandipayen Baramulla in Kashmir Division.
The construction of Government Homeopathic Medical College & Hospital at Rakh Hoshiyari, Kathua, for which 57 kanals of government land already stands transferred to the Directorate of Ayush, J&K, has also been proposed in SAAP 2023-24 under National Ayush Mission, he said. He further informed that 60 villages have been proposed to be designated as Ayush Grams besides the implementation of five Public Health Programs under National Ayush Mission which have also been proposed, in the Annual SAAP of 2023-24.
The Secretary H&ME appreciated the work done by the Directorate of Ayush, J&K for the last 3 years and advised that more needs to be done for making Ayush as first choice of treatment for people in the UT of J&K.
During the meeting, a publication of the Directorate of Ayush, J&K (J&K Medicinal Plants Board) titled “Agro-Techniques and Therapeutics of Some Important Medicinal Plants of Jammu & Kashmir” was released by Bhupinder Kumar. He emphasized the need to move from illness to wellness by promoting the “Eat Right Campaign” and “Fit India” through Ayush practice and spreading yoga in every nook and corner of the UT.
