SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has five approved 50-bed Integrated AYUSH Hospitals under the National AYUSH Mission (NAM), with one facility functional and four under construction, according to data tabled by the Union Ministry of AYUSH in the Lok Sabha on Friday.
The functional facility is located in Kulgam, where an integrated hospital offering Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani, Yoga and Naturopathy has been established with 50 beds and financial assistance of Rs 925.56 lakh.
The four other 50-bed facilities under construction are located at Kishtwar, Kupwara, Billawar in Kathua district and Samba. The Centre has sanctioned Rs 500 lakh for Kishtwar, Rs 729.39 lakh for Kupwara, Rs 735.21 lakh for Billawar and Rs 667.05 lakh for Samba.
The data also lists two additional 10-bed Integrated AYUSH Hospitals in JK. The facility at Gadi Garh has received Rs 100 lakh, but construction has not started, while the Bandipayeen facility, sanctioned Rs 125 lakh, is under construction.
The details were provided by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH Prataprao Jadhav in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2133 regarding the framework for AYUSH institutions.
The Ministry said the National AYUSH Mission provides financial support to States and Union Territories for setting up 50-, 30- and 10-bed Integrated AYUSH Hospitals based on proposals submitted through State Annual Action Plans. States and UTs are required to submit Detailed Project Reports, land ownership documents and commitments for creating regular posts for the proposed hospitals.
According to the Ministry, the selection of locations for AYUSH hospitals is undertaken by respective state governments based on their felt needs, while funding for different activities is provided on a demand-driven basis against proposals received through the State Annual Action Plans.
At Integrated AYUSH Hospitals, healthcare services are delivered through more than one AYUSH system in an integrated manner, with central financial assistance covering infrastructure and human resources for the functioning of the facilities. Implementation timelines are monitored by the respective State and UT governments.
The Ministry also said it is implementing the AYURSWASTHYA Central Sector Scheme, which includes a Centre of Excellence component providing financial assistance to eligible organisations and institutions in accordance with scheme guidelines.
The response indicates that the Centre has not prescribed a separate national location-selection framework based on parameters such as existing AYUSH infrastructure, research capacity or regional balance. Instead, locations are selected by State Governments according to local requirements, while proposals for Integrated AYUSH Hospitals are processed under the NAM guidelines.
Nationwide, the annexure lists approved Integrated AYUSH Hospitals across several States and Union Territories, covering Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani, Siddha, Yoga and Naturopathy, and Sowa-Rigpa in some locations.
