The biggest decision was made for the first time in the history of Ayurveda. The management has announced coverage on selective Ayurvedic treatments and this will attract more and more people towards the Ayurveda. The ministry proposed a distinct healthcare policy for the Ayurvedic clinics. According to the Secretary of the Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Association of India (AMMOI), only a few government companies were giving the health coverage to ayurvedic treatments, but presently few private companies are also contributing to produce coverage approximately for 20 Ayurvedic therapies.
The diseases such as Drishti dosha (different eye diseases), Sirasoola (Headache, migraine), Greeva Sthambha (Cervical spondylitis, cervical spondylosis), Ardita (Facial paralysis), Apabahuka (Frozen shoulder), Pakshaghata (Paralysis), Vataraktha or vatarakta (Rheumatoid arthritis), Amavata (Rheumatic fever), Sarvangavata (Motor neuron diseases), Sandhigata Vata (Degenerative joint disorders), Twak vikara (Skin diseases), Arbuda (Benign and malignant growth), Arshas and bhagandara (hemorrhoid, fistula, fissure), Moothra Ghata (Renal dysfunction), Kashtarthava (amenorrhea, PCOD), Katigraha (Low back pain), Mamsa Kshaya (muscular dystrophy).
The new guidelines were made after taking the opinion from Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), and 23 different insurance companies. The decision was made after discussing with Ayurveda experts and industry representatives. And they will bear only about 7% to 25% of treatment expenses. These guidelines deliver the clear idea regarding the cost and duration required for therapeutic treatments.
“National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers” placed guidelines to those patients enrolled into Central and State government hospitals as well as the patients in Ayurvedic hospitals will be eligible for the health coverage. They will implement the coverage only to the registered hospitals that manage their daily medical records and contain at least 15 beds,5 authorized ayurvedic doctors, also a well-trained paramedical staff. But to get the benefits of coverage, it is necessary that the individual claiming for the coverage must be kept under observation for more than 24 hours and showing positive response towards the treatment. However, the problem arises in the case, if the patient is taking mixed treatments, and then the companies are satisfying the individual with a limited amount of coverage. So, to defeat the problem of cost variation, companies have fixed certain criteria.
Such policies will help to attract more people towards the ancient Ayurvedic healthcare practices.
