Srinagar, June 2 (IANS). Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday stressed on strengthening the infrastructure of AYUSH system, expanding its reach and promoting wellness tourism.
Chief Secretary Atal Dullu on Tuesday chaired the meeting of the Governing Body of Jammu and Kashmir AYUSH Society under the National AYUSH Mission (NAM). In this meeting, the State Annual Action Plan (SAAP) 2026-27 was approved, which will be further sent to the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.
Additional Chief Secretary of Finance Department, Commissioner-Secretary of Planning Department, Commissioner-Secretary of Health and Medical Education Department, Managing Director of National Health Mission, Director of AYUSH and other senior officials participated in the meeting.
Emphasizing the growing importance of AYUSH systems in preventive and holistic health care, the Chief Secretary appealed for formulating a strong wellness policy in collaboration with private stakeholders.
He said that wellness tourism is emerging as a major attraction across the country. Considering the world-famous tourist destinations of Jammu and Kashmir, there is immense potential for this.
Citing examples of states like Kerala, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, he stressed on developing Jammu and Kashmir as a major wellness and healthcare hub.
The Chief Secretary directed the Department to ensure availability of services under the flagship AYUSH public welfare programs in all medical colleges and district hospitals across the Union Territory.
These include National Program for Prevention and Management of Osteoarthritis and other Musculoskeletal Disorders, National Program for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease and Stroke, AYUSH Based Maternal and New Born Child Care, AYUSH Geriatric Health Services, Healthy Lifestyle through AYUSH for School Children, AYUSH Palliative Services and AYUSH Mobile Medical Units.
He stressed the need to significantly increase the reach and coverage, so that the benefits of these programs reach more and more people.
Emphasizing the need for a strong monitoring mechanism, Dullu urged the Director to regularly visit AYUSH health facilities and educational institutions to assess their functioning and ensure quality services.
He also directed the department to set up herbal gardens in government institutions and involve local self-help groups in processing and value addition of medicinal herbs, so as to promote indigenous medicinal products and also create livelihood opportunities.
The Chief Secretary stressed that the recruitment process of faculty should be expedited through designated recruitment agencies to strengthen the functioning of AYUSH colleges and educational institutions, so that the academic standards can be improved.
Speaking on the occasion, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, Shailendra Kumar advised the department to focus on enhancing and strengthening the existing facilities, so that a wide range of AYUSH services can be provided under one roof.
Making better use of available resources, he said, would yield better results than dividing resources among many small and limited-impact initiatives.
Underlining the challenge posed by drug abuse, the Additional Chief Secretary also advocated inclusion of AYUSH measures in the rehabilitation efforts of drug addicts and urged the department to actively contribute to the ongoing ‘Nash Mukt Abhiyaan’.
He stressed the importance of a ‘whole-of-government approach’ to effectively address this problem.
Commissioner-Secretary of Health and Medical Education M. Raju informed the meeting about the roadmap prepared for expansion and strengthening of AYUSH health services, educational institutions and public health measures in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said that the proposed annual action plan has been prepared after extensive discussions with district-level AYUSH officers and heads of AYUSH medical colleges. It envisages large investments in healthcare infrastructure, human resource development, enhancing institutional capacity and providing quality services.
During the meeting, AYUSH Director Dr. Ajay Kumar Tiku said that the Ministry of AYUSH has indicated a possible resource allocation of Rs 58.539 crore. At the same time, the Union Territory has proposed a comprehensive action plan of Rs 91.997 crore keeping in mind the increasing demand for AYUSH facilities and satisfactory utilization of funds under previous programmes.
He further told the governing body that the plan includes strengthening 523 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, expanding AYUSH units in public health institutions, ensuring uninterrupted supply of essential medicines to hospitals and dispensaries, upgrading existing AYUSH hospitals and dispensaries, and expeditiously completing new health facilities in areas where health services are less available.
The Governing Body also approved reconstitution of the Executive Committee of Jammu and Kashmir AYUSH Society to strengthen the governance and implementation of the National AYUSH Mission. It includes representation from the Department of Health and Medical Education, National Health Mission, Finance, Planning and other technical stakeholders. The appointment of manpower sanctioned by the Ministry of AYUSH under various components of the National AYUSH Mission was also discussed in the meeting.
The appointment of manpower sanctioned by the Ministry of AYUSH under various components of the National AYUSH Mission was also discussed in the meeting.
Reiterating the commitment of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir towards strengthening the AYUSH systems, the Chief Secretary stressed the need for better healthcare infrastructure, wider outreach programs and greater public awareness about the benefits of AYUSH treatments and wellness practices, so that the people of Jammu and Kashmir get accessible, affordable and holistic healthcare services.
–IANS
SHK/DKP