UP plans integrated AYUSH colleges, hosps in 5 divisions

Lucknow: The state govt has initiated an exercise to establish five new integrated AYUSH hospitals and colleges across the state, principal secretary, AYUSH, Ranjan Kumar, said on Monday.Noting that the initiative is a part of the state’s effort to strengthen India’s traditional medical systems while expanding access to affordable health care and professional education, he said that the proposed institutions would come up in Gonda, Mirzapur, Meerut, Agra and Basti divisions and would offer education and clinical services in AYUSH alongside modern health sciences.Director general, AYUSH, and Mission Director, India Ayush Mission, Chaitra V, said that the land has been identified for all five campuses and preparatory work is underway.“Four of the identified land parcels have already been transferred to the AYUSH department, while the transfer process for the Basti site is in its final stages,” she said, adding, “The blueprint for the integrated colleges and hospitals is being prepared.”She said that the institutions were envisaged not only as teaching centres but also as hubs for research and innovation.Both Kumar and Chaitra V said that research on Ayurvedic medicines, yoga therapy, lifestyle-based treatment approaches and other traditional health care practices would be encouraged. The colleges are also expected to house modern laboratories, teaching hospitals, research facilities and training centres.“The move is expected to increase access to professional medical education in regions that currently lack such institutions,” said Kumar.“Students from smaller towns and rural districts would be able to pursue AYUSH education closer to home rather than relocating to larger cities,” the DG added.