Bhubaneswar: Odisha has approved more than 577 AYUSH projects involving an expenditure of over ₹400 crore during 2024-25 and 2025-26 to expand infrastructure and improve healthcare services under Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a programme at the Government Ayurvedic College here to mark the 11th Ayurveda Day, Mahaling said the proposed Government Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital at Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj, being established at a cost of ₹85.78 crore, was among the major initiatives.
The foundation stones have also been laid for a 100-bed Ayurvedic Hospital in Bhubaneswar and a 100-bed Naturopathy Hospital at Jatani, he said.
A budget provision of ₹200 crore has been made for setting up three Government Ayurvedic Medical Colleges in Rayagada, Gajapati and Malkangiri and two Government Homoeopathic Medical Colleges in Nuapada and Nayagarh, the minister said.
To improve the quality of AYUSH services, housekeeping, sanitation, security and linen facilities have been strengthened across government AYUSH medical colleges and 1,191 AYUSH dispensaries, Mahaling said.
The government is spending ₹21.47 crore to provide 16 categories of free pathology tests at government Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic hospitals and ensure uninterrupted availability of essential AYUSH medicines, he said.
Panchakarma services have been introduced in some districts, while specialist consultations are being made available through e-Sanjeevani at 50 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Besides, 422 such centres have been strengthened, according to the minister.
The government has also taken steps to enhance stipends and teachers’ remuneration, increase the remuneration of more than 4,000 AYUSH doctors and provide skill-development training, he said.
Mahaling said various camps and awareness programmes were being conducted to promote Yoga, Ayurveda and Homoeopathy among people.
He said the state was focusing on integrated development of AYUSH infrastructure, treatment, education, human resources and digital services as part of its broader development goals.
Health camps were organised at Kharavela Bhawan, Lok Seva Bhawan and the Assembly premises on the occasion.
Deputy Speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi, Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, Health Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Aswati S, AYUSH Director Archana Das Pattanaik and Government Ayurvedic College Deputy Superintendent Chitta Ranjan Behera were among those present.
