ANS: Aiming to bring “health revolution” under the aegis of the traditional medicine system AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) hospitals were set up in the district but due to the dearth of doctors and medicines, about 17 dispensaries have been closed in Bokaro district.
The dispensaries, which were locked for the past several months, include Rajkiya Ayurvedic Aushadhalaya at Paterwar, Bermo, Gomia, Pindrajora, Chas, Koriya, Barmasia, Tupra, Sadam and Chatrochatti; Homeopathy Rajkiya Aushadhalaya at Nawadih, Bhendra, Mahuatand, Bokaro Steel City and Chandankiyari while Unani Rajkiya Aushadhalaya at Kasmar and Jaridih, sources informed.
Admitting shortage of doctors medical staffs along with medicines Civil Surgeon Dr Ambika Prasad Mandal said that they hope that government will find its solution at the earliest. “Soon after the appointment of doctors and after availability of medicines health facilities would be normalised on the centers,” he added.
A total of 20 posts of AYUSH doctors have been approved for the district by the health ministry, but only one doctor is posted at District Joint Dispensary, said the CS adding, “Lack of doctors and in absence of medicines at least 17 dispensaries are locked over many days.”
Aiming to promote Indian Systems of Medicines and healthcare government is setting up AYUSH hospitals in all districts across the country. These systems are based on definite medical philosophies and represent a way of healthy living with established concepts on prevention of diseases and promotion of health, said a district health department staff. The basic approach of all these systems on health, disease and treatment is holistic. Because of this, there is a resurgence of interest on AYUSH systems, he said.
The Ministry of AYUSH was formed in November 2014 to ensure the optimal development and propagation of AYUSH systems of health care. Earlier it was known as the Department of Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy (ISM&H) which was created in March 1995 and renamed as Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) in November 2003, with focused attention for the development of Education and Research in Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy, he said.