18 new Ayurveda colleges received government nod in 2014

NDA Government has given nod to 18 new Ayurveda colleges in 2014. Government by this decision is seeking to promote traditional forms of treatment and integrate them into the existing health care system.
Among the 18 new Ayurveda colleges, 7 new colleges will come up in Uttar Pradesh, 3 in Maharashtra, 2 in Rajasthan and besides six others in as many states.  The approval to these new institutes was given by Ayush Ministry which is in charge of Ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddha and homeopathy.
Earlier, then UPA government had granted the permission to only one college last year against proposals for 30 new colleges the previous government had received. No permission was given in 2011 and 2012.
Background
Currently, there are 281 Ayurveda colleges in the country offering 15,057 graduate and 3,081 post-graduate seats.
NDA government is pitching for integration of Ayurveda, yoga and other traditional forms of treatment in the existing health care system on the recommendations of committee to promote holistic health.
The committee had recommended there is need to bring reforms in medical education, research and legal framework.
Earlier in September, 2014, the government had notified National Ayush Mission (NAM) to lay down a detailed road map to shore it up as Ayush infrastructure is not satisfactory besides the industry being poorly regulated.
NAM aims to improve Ayush education and provide better access to its service through increase in number of Ayush hospitals and dispensaries, besides offering quality drugs by increasing pharmacies, drug laboratories and “improved enforcement mechanism”.
The Centre is also aiming to improve legislative framework to regulate Ayush practitioners and drugs with the help of states.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2014