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The Parliamentary Panel on Health and Family Welfare has recommended to the Ministry of Ayush to come out with comprehensive mid-term performance evaluations of schemes and projects on Ayush system and disclose the outcomes proactively to improve the execution of the schemes.
The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, in its 168th report on action taken by the government on the recommendations the Panel has made in the 165th report on Demands for Grants 2025-26 of the Ministry of Ayush, also asked the Ministry to take steps to encourage States and Union Territories to establish integrated Ayush hospitals in backward regions of the country.
The Panel, in its previous report, had recommended to the Ministry to conduct structured midterm performance evaluations, incorporating cost benefit analysis and a comparative assessment of targets achieved against targets set.
However, it observed that the Ministry in its Action Taken Reply, did not sufficiently address the specific recommendation, even though it was updated regarding ongoing monitoring mechanisms and third-party evaluations mechanism to oversee the execution of the Schemes/Projects to ensure that the physical targets as set in the Output-Outcome Framework is achieved without time and cost overruns.
Additionally, no action taken has been reflected in regard to the publication of such evaluations in the public domain to promote transparency and public confidence, it added.
"The Committee, therefore, reiterates the need for comprehensive mid-term evaluations, inclusion of financial efficiency metrics, and proactive disclosure of outcomes to ensure timely course correction and enhanced accountability to bring forth the catalytic changes in providing ayurvedic and Homeopathic mode of treatment to all," said the Panel headed by Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav, in the report presented in the Rajya Sabha in mid-December.
The Panel, in its previous report, had said that it strongly believes that the Output-Outcome Framework will enrich the enabling environment of the Ministry of Ayush and bring forth the catalytic changes in providing ayurvedic and Homeopathic mode of treatment to all.
In the previous report, the Panel also observed that the Ministry is not fully utilising the funds allocated to it, especially to enhance Ayush services in underserved and remote areas. It recommended to the Ministry to optimise resource utilisation for high impact interventions in priority areas.
However, the Ministry, in its Action Taken Reply, said that public health being a State Subject, the primary responsibility to bridge infrastructure gaps with respect to Ayush system in the country including rural and underserved regions lies with the respective state and UT governments. It also elaborated on the efforts under NAM to address the issue.
However, the Panel said that it "finds the response of the Ministry evasive which appears that the Ministry is shrugging off its responsibility".
The Ministry has a goal to enhance Ayush services, particularly, in underserved and remote areas, but States and UTs lack the requisite resources to do so, effectively.
"The Committee, therefore, recommends that the Ministry should undertake steps for encouraging states/UTs to propose under State Annual Action Plans (SAAP) for establishment of integrated Ayush Hospitals in backward regions of the Country specifically districts with low human development index in the State of Orissa, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar (particularly in Koshi/Simanchal Region covering Purnia, Kathiar, Saharsa, Madipura, Forbesganj, Araria, Kishanganj)," said the Panel in its latest report.
The Panel, therefore, desired that "the Ministry take a systematic, analytical approach in assessing parameters and identification of sites in underserved districts for establishing of Ayush Medical College and Hospital in a time bound manner to effectively implement its cherished goals of placing Ayush system of healthcare in the remotest parts of the country, even if it needs handholding the states in creating SAAPs in regard to Ayush."
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