Question

Given here is an extract from the report of meetings between the Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare and the officers from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Observe the screenshots above and discuss the following in small groups. Who is reporting to whom? What is the subject that has been reviewed? Identify the Committee’s recommendation. What is the government’s reply?

Answer 1

1. The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, a Rajya Sabha committee, is reviewing and reporting on matters related to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, especially the Ministry of AYUSH.
2. The review focuses on the co-location of AYUSH facilities in Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and District Hospitals (DHs). It highlights the need for separate AYUSH departments in some States and Union Territories to improve the implementation, management, and coordination of AYUSH healthcare services.
3. The committee recommends that the Ministry of AYUSH should encourage and persuade states and Union Teritories (UTs) do not yet have a separate Department of AYUSH to establish one. This will help ensure:
   • Better coordination in AYUSH healthcare.
   • Faster development and implementation of AYUSH schemes.
4. The government states that setting up AYUSH departments is the responsibility of state and UT governments, as health is mainly a state subject. However, the Ministry of AYUSH has encouraged states and UTs to create separate AYUSH directorates and appoint staff to improve the implementation of the National AYUSH Mission. At present, 24 states/UTs have their own AYUSH directorates.