No Permission to Establishment of new AYUSH medical colleges till 2021

Kolkata: Next two years are to draw a blank on all new Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) hospitals, announced the Ayush Ministry, recently. This is to be the modus operandi adopted in order to ensure that a concentrated effort can be made to improve the existing infrastructures at AYUSH medical colleges.

The AYUSH Ministry will not accept any new applications from any of the states for new AYUSH institutions. A directive to this effect has already been sent to chief secretaries of the states. If any state decides to go ahead in this direction, a no objection certificate will be issued by the centre

The Union ministry has also to keep all new construction at bay for the next 2 years as efforts will go into the improvement of existing infrastructure in all the hospitals. An AYUSH notification issued by the Ministry states that all the state governments and universities are not to give affiliation consent to any institution, which is under construction. The restrictions will be applicable for the years 2019-20 and 2020-21.

The Centre has advised the states to refrain from accepting any new application for AYUSH medical colleges as the centre will abstain from entertaining their requests. According to sources, there are 626 AYUSH medical colleges in the country, with 17 in Bengal alone.

There are AYUSH hospitals that are calling for infrastructural modifications revealed the centre. Therefore, the next two years are going to see the centre revamping these structures on a priority basis. This renovation attempt, the authorities at the centre feel will help put in place the adequate infrastructure required for people visiting these hospitals, and also help them make the best of the facilities available.

The 2 interim years will see the ministry inspect the existing facilities to ensure that prescribed standards are maintained. There will be a reform in the education system at all the AYUSH medical colleges in the country.

Sources in the ministry reveal that the education system at AYUSH institutions is also likely to receive an overhauling. This would impact quality healthcare delivery system at AYUSH healthcare units reports millenium post.

The interim 2 years will see the existing AYUSH medical colleges continuing to admit candidates in various undergraduate courses. The admissions entitlements will be through National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).

Teacher appointments at AYUSH institutions will also be made through AYUSH National Teachers Eligibility Test states the notification. A unique verification code will be allotted to teachers before their appointment. This, the centre believes would bring about transparency and improvement in the quality of all the AYUSH institutions.