India’s Supreme Court is currently reviewing a petition that seeks to include Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy in the Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme. This request has been made to expand affordable healthcare options for India’s diverse population, while also promoting traditional Indian medical systems. Here’s everything you need to know about this petition and its potential impact.
1. Why Include Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy in Ayushman Bharat?
Ayushman Bharat, launched in 2018, is India’s flagship healthcare program, aimed at providing affordable and accessible healthcare to the country’s most vulnerable populations. The scheme consists of two key components: PM-JAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) and Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs). Under PM-JAY, families below the poverty line receive up to Rs 5 lakh in annual health insurance coverage. Currently, however, Ayushman Bharat mainly supports allopathic treatments and services, leaving traditional Indian systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy outside the scheme’s scope.
The petition, filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, argues that incorporating these systems into Ayushman Bharat would make a larger range of affordable healthcare options available, potentially benefiting millions. It emphasizes that India’s traditional medical practices are highly effective in treating various illnesses and could complement allopathic medicine by promoting wellness and preventive care.
2. Boosting Employment and Preserving Heritage
The plea highlights that including Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy in Ayushman Bharat could create employment opportunities in India’s healthcare sector. Many Ayurvedic practitioners, yoga instructors, and naturopaths would benefit from a larger, state-supported platform, allowing them to offer their services to a broader audience. The petition suggests that expanding Ayushman Bharat to include these fields could strengthen India’s traditional knowledge base and provide additional jobs in a sector that has been part of the country’s heritage for centuries.
3. Reviving India’s Cultural and Medical Heritage
One of the points raised by the petition is that colonial policies sidelined India’s indigenous medical systems, focusing instead on Western allopathic methods. By expanding Ayushman Bharat to include Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy, the scheme would acknowledge and reintegrate these valuable traditions, which are deeply rooted in Indian culture and have served the healthcare needs of communities for generations.
4. Supreme Court’s Role and Next Steps
The Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, has issued a notice to the Centre, seeking its response to the petition. This step is part of the Court’s examination of whether to include traditional Indian medicine under Ayushman Bharat. The Centre’s response will play a key role in determining if and how these systems could be incorporated into the existing framework.
Conclusion
The inclusion of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy in Ayushman Bharat has the potential to transform India’s healthcare landscape. Not only would it increase access to holistic, affordable healthcare, but it would also preserve India’s cultural heritage and provide additional employment opportunities. The Supreme Court’s decision on this plea could pave the way for a more inclusive healthcare system, blending traditional and modern practices for a healthier, self-reliant India.
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