Bhubaneswar: A total of 422 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Ayush) are currently operational across Odisha under the National Ayush Mission (NAM), Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, Prataprao Jadhav, informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
Replying to a question from Rajya Sabha MP Dilip Kumar Ray, Jadhav said the Odisha Government has upgraded 422 AYUSH dispensaries, including Ayurveda facilities, into Ayush Health and Wellness Centres, now known as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Ayush). The upgradation was carried out under the Centrally Sponsored National Ayush Mission based on proposals submitted through the State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs).
The Minister said the State Government has informed the Centre that all 422 centres are fully functional and are providing holistic healthcare services through various AYUSH interventions.
According to district-wise data shared by the Ministry, Ganjam has the highest number of operational Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, with 42 centres. It is followed by Baleshwar (34), Bhadrak (25), Mayurbhanj (23), Kendujhar (22), and Balangir, Nayagada, and Puri, with 21 centres each.
Baragada and Khordha have 18 centres each, followed by Kataka (17), Dhenkanal (16), Anugola and Jajpur (15 each), Jharsuguda (14), Sundaragada (13), Kalahandi and Kendrapada (11 each), Jagatsinghpur (10), Sambalpur (9), Kandhamala and Koraput (7 each), Gajapati and Nuapada (5 each), and Nabarangpur and Subarnapur, with four centres each.
Jadhav reiterated that public health is a State subject and that the establishment of wellness centres, including those at district headquarters, falls within the jurisdiction of the respective State Governments.
While the Centre extends financial assistance to strengthen AYUSH infrastructure under the National Ayush Mission, the decision to establish new wellness centres rests with the respective State Governments, he added.
