A Review on Mainstreaming of AYUSH and Revitalization of Local Health Traditions under NRHM

Background: The concept of mainstreaming of AYUSH by co-location services with Allopathy has been in the official plan document since the IXth five year plan. National Rural Health Mission has finally implemented it on a countrywide scale in 2005. The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)’s strategy of ‘Mainstreaming AYUSH and revitalization of local health traditions’ is mainly confined to co-location of AYUSH doctors in primary and secondary health facilities in many states while few other states have planned other activities that strengthen AYUSH services beyond mere contractual appointment of AYUSH doctors. Objective: To review the implementation of Mainstreaming of AYUSH and revitalization of local health traditions implemented under NRHM. Methodology: The research adopted a review based study. Secondary data were obtained from the web portals of pertinent Government departments such as Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and National Rural Health Mission, Government of India for the purpose of review. Discussion: ‘Mainstreaming of AYUSH and revitalization of local health traditions’ shows a great degree of colocation but issues related to AYUSH doctors and paramedics, strengthening AYUSH and revitalization of local health traditions, Training & orientation of AYUSH doctors and paramedics need to be addressed properly in order to justify mainstreaming of AYUSH and revitalization of local health traditions. Conclusion: Mainstreaming of AYUSH and revitalization of local health traditions should not only be limited to co-location of AYUSH facilities under the roof of allopathic facilities rather it should transcend beyond to address pertinent issues such as proper training and orientation of AYUSH workforce, universal recruitment policy, provision of drugs and necessary equipments, infrastructural correction.