National Institutes and Research Councils under the Ministry of Ayush have conducted various studies to document the role of Ayush interventions in Covid-19. 126 studies have been initiated by Research Councils and National Institutes which include 42 prophylactic studies, 40 interventional studies, 11 observational studies, 22 pre-clinical/experimental studies, 01 systematic review, 08 survey studies and 02 monographs preparation. The system wise research studies includes 66 from Ayurveda, 26 from Homoeopathy, 13 from Siddha, 08 from Unani and 13 from Yoga & Naturopathy. Total 90 studies have been completed and 10 manuscripts have been published.
These research studies are conducted at peripheral institutes of Research Council, National Institutes and other collaborative centres situated in different States/ UTs.
AYUSH-64 and Kabasur Kudineer has been identified for Covid-19 treatment. The research outcomes of the clinical trials has demonstrated efficacy of AYUSH- 64 in the treatment of asymptomatic & mild cases as standalone and for the management of mild and moderate COVID-19 as an adjunct to standard care. It was observed that AYUSH-64 as adjunct treatment to Standard Care resulted in significant improvement in clinical recovery. Further, Kabasur Kudineer, a siddha preparation was also subjected to clinical trials for studying the efficacy in Covid-19 patients by Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) under Ministry of Ayush and is also found useful in the treatment of mild to moderate covid-19 infection.
Research studies conducted for Ayush interventions are for prophylactic, add-on and standalone treatment. However, no data available on the use of these medicines as substitute to Allopathic, Homoeopathic or vaccines currently being administered against COVID -19.
Government of India widely circulated the advisories to the public on the general measures for prevention of infectious disease particularly in context of COVID-19. Further, following measures has been taken by Ministry of Ayush to prevent COVID-19 pandemic –
- Recommended self-care guidelines for preventive health measures and boosting immunity.
- Released “National Clinical Management Protocol based on Ayurveda and Yoga for management of COVID-19” prepared by the National Task force in consensus from various expert committees.
- Issued the guidelines for the Registered Practitioners of respective system of AYUSH. The Director Generals of Research Councils and Directors of National Institutes with their team of experts have prepared these guidelines and the same is vetted by the Interdisciplinary AYUSH Research and Development Taskforce of Ministry of AYUSH. These guidelines are made available in public domain for the benefit of registered AYUSH practitioners to help in the management of COVID-19 pandemic uniformly.
- Released the Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha preventive measures for self-care during COVID-19 and Guidelines for AYUSH Practitioners for COVID-19 Patients in Home Isolation.
- Issued advisory for AYUSH practitioners on ethical practices during COVID-19 pandemic.
- During the second wave of this pandemic, AYUSH-64 and Kabasura Kudineer have been found helpful in asymptomatic, mild and moderate COVID -19 infections as an adjunct to Standard care as per the studies conducted by the scientists of research institution of the country.
- In order to provide maximum benefit of Ayush systems of medicine, a nationwide campaign has been undertaken for distribution of AYUSH-64 and Kabasura Kudineer through the Research Councils and the National Institutes under the Ministry of Ayush across the country.
- Released Home care guidelines for children and Advisory for AYUSH Practitioners about prophylactic care in Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Steps taken by the Ministry of Ayush to spread awareness about prevention of corona by treatment through alternative medicine system:
- Ministry of Ayush issued an advisory on protecting yourself from COVID and staying healthy. In the advisory, in addition to maintaining hygiene like hand wash, use of mask,etc. and simple home remedies were also suggested for people.
- Ministry of Ayush recommended self-care guidelines for preventive health measures and boosting immunity.
3. Ministry of Ayush and MoHFW have jointly provided training to 33,000 AYUSH master trainers. Total 66045 AYUSH Personnel had obtained training at igot.in platform on continual basis. Ministry of Ayush has coordinated with MoHFW for utilisation of AYUSH manpower as COVID warriors to manage COVID-19 with identified roles.
4. The Ministry of Ayush launched a three-month campaign on “Ayush for Immunity”, through webinar and publishing a campaign bulletin on AYUSH for Immunity. More than 50 thousand people participated in the Webinar.
5. Government of India has released “National Clinical Management Protocol based on Ayurveda and Yoga for management of COVID-19” prepared by National Taskforce which consensus from various expert committees.
6. Ministry of Ayush vide D.O letter No.S-16030/13/3030-NAM has also requested the States/UTs Governments to popularise the use of Kabasura Kudineer and AYUSH-64 in the asymptomatic, mild to moderate COVID-19 patients at isolation centres/ COVID Care Centre / COVID Health Centre, AYUSH hospitals/ dispensaries and patients in home isolation.
7. In order to provide maximum benefit of AYUSH systems of medicine, a nationwide campaign for distribution of AYUSH-64 and Kabasura Kudineer through Research Councils and National Institute under the Ministry of Ayush across the country.
8. Ministry of AYUSH has released Home care guidelines for children and Advisory for AYUSH Practitioners about prophylactic care in Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
9. To strengthen the community-wide effort to limit the spread of COVID-19, Ministry of Ayush has also operationalised a dedicated community support helpline i.e. toll-free number 14443, to provide AYUSH-based approaches and solutions for the challenges raised by COVID-19.
10. Ministry of Ayush has launched of AYUSH Clinical Case Repository (ACCR) portal and the third version of Ayush Sanjivani App. The AYUSH Clinical Case Repository (ACCR) portal (https://accr.ayush.gov.in/) will serve as a platform to support both AYUSH practitioners and the general public.
This information was given by Minister of State for Ayush Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
