Bhubaneswar: A total of 422 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Ayush) are now operational across Odisha, as announced by Prataprao Jadhav, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, during a session in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
In response to an inquiry from Rajya Sabha MP Dilip Kumar Ray, Jadhav indicated that the Odisha Government has transformed 422 AYUSH dispensaries, which include Ayurveda services, into Ayush Health and Wellness Centres, referred to as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Ayush). This transformation was executed under the Centrally Sponsored National Ayush Mission, based on the proposals put forth through the State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs).
The Minister reported that the State Government has confirmed to the Centre that all 422 centres are fully operational and are delivering comprehensive healthcare services through various AYUSH interventions.
Data provided by the Ministry indicates that Ganjam district leads in the number of functioning Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, with 42 centres. This is followed by Baleshwar with 34, Bhadrak with 25, Mayurbhanj with 23, and Kendujhar with 22. Balangir, Nayagada, and Puri each have 21 centres.
Baragada and Khordha both host 18 centres, while Kataka has 17, and Dhenkanal has 16. Anugola and Jajpur each have 15 centres, Jharsuguda has 14, and Sundaragada has 13. Kalahandi and Kendrapada each have 11, and Jagatsinghpur has 10. Sambalpur has 9 centres, while Kandhamala and Koraput each have 7. Gajapati and Nuapada have 5 centres each, and Nabarangpur and Subarnapur each have 4.
Jadhav emphasized that public health falls under the domain of the State and that the establishment of wellness centres, including those at district headquarters, is the responsibility of the respective State Governments.
He further noted that while the Centre provides financial aid to enhance AYUSH infrastructure through the National Ayush Mission, the decision to set up new wellness centres is ultimately in the hands of the individual State Governments.
