The Union Ayush Ministry has issued a set of new guidelines emphasising the need for quality in-patient care and the spread of Ayush hospitals across the country, in line with a bed per population norm according to which one hospital bed per 5,000 population will be deemed “essential,” while 1 bed per 2,000 population to be considered “desirable.”
However, the proposal looks quite ambitious at least in the near future given that more than 69 per cent of the integrated Ayush hospitals approved under the National Ayush Minister (NAM) are still either under construction or the construction has not started yet. Similarly, only about 65% of the sanctioned Ayush Health Wellness Centres have been established, as per the sources.
Moreover, many hospitals in the sector are grappling with inadequate administrative set-up in States/UTs.
Currently, there are 3,844 Ayush hospitals of various categories across the country, managed by both central and state governments, with a collective bed strength of 60,943.
The guidelines suggest that the “essential” number of beds can be provided through the public health system, including medical colleges, district hospitals, and various sizes of Ayush hospitals, as per the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) for Ayush healthcare facilities.
To achieve the “desirable” number of beds, the guideline suggests involvement of the private sector is encouraged while continuing to enhance bed provision at public health facilities. All beds operational for more than 24 hours for patient care are considered in-patient hospital beds.
Ayush hospitals are expected to offer a comprehensive range of essential services aligned with Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, SowaRigpa, and Homoeopathy principles. This includes promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative services for a wide array of health conditions, with an emphasis on integrating traditional and complementary medicine practices with modern healthcare systems.
The guidelines stress the importance of ensuring a continuum of care, establishing referral systems, and facility readiness for managing referred cases.
They also highlight the need for strategic planning for service delivery, emphasizing service categorization and corresponding human resource classification.
States and Union territories are urged to conduct Ayush-specific training needs assessments, integrate Ayush and modern medicine training for healthcare professionals as needed, and establish robust grievance redressal mechanisms in Ayush hospitals. Furthermore, an occupational safety and health policy for Ayush hospitals is recommended to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of employees, patients, and visitors.
As per guidelines, quality assurance will be deemed crucial, with an emphasis on maintaining standards that meet prescribed criteria independently. Best practices from contemporary systems like the National Quality Assurance System and National Accreditation Board for Hospital and Healthcare Providers standards will be consulted and customized for Ayush Centers.