The Delhi High Court Today (April 5th) asked the Centre to treat as a representation the plea that sought inclusion of ayurveda, yoga, and naturopathy in Ayushman Bharat, the national public health insurance scheme.
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NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court, today directed the Centre to consider a plea advocating for the inclusion of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy in Ayushman Bharat, the national public health insurance scheme.
The bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora, disposed of the public interest litigation (PIL) after instructing the Union Ministry of Ayush to promptly evaluate the representation.
The court’s decision comes after it had earlier dismissed the petition due to non-prosecution. However, upon the petitioner’s application to restore the plea, the high court not only reinstated the case but also urged the ministry to treat it as a representation for further consideration.
The order was issued subsequent to the examination of an affidavit filed by the Ayush Ministry, wherein it conveyed its coordination with the Health Ministry to explore steps for incorporating Indian healthcare systems into the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
Last year, the high court had served notices to several Union ministries, including Health and Family Welfare, Ayush, Finance, and Home Affairs, along with the Delhi government, seeking their counter affidavits in response to the PIL filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay.
The PIL highlighted the necessity of integrating Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy into PM-JAY, popularly known as Ayushman Bharat, to uphold citizens’ right to health. Ayushman Bharat, introduced in 2018, comprises two primary components: PM-JAY and Health and Wellness Centres. PM-JAY offers cashless health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per Below Poverty Line (BPL) family annually.
The plea advocated for the nationwide implementation of the scheme and the inclusion of Indian healthcare systems within its ambit. It argued that such inclusion would enable a substantial portion of the population to access affordable healthcare services for various serious ailments without financial strain, simultaneously generating employment opportunities within the Ayurveda sector.
“PM-JAY, that is, Ayushman Bharat predominantly covers and is limited to allopathic hospitals and dispensaries, while India boasts various indigenous medical systems, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Siddha, Unani, Homeopathy, which are rooted in India’s rich traditions and are highly effective in addressing the healthcare needs of the present time,”
-the plea emphasized.
The plea further lamented the erosion of India’s cultural, intellectual, and scientific heritage due to policies implemented during colonial rule. It criticized the profit-oriented approach of foreign rulers and individuals, asserting that their actions have gradually undermined India’s rich heritage and history.
“Along with this, these foreigners, motivated by a profit-oriented approach, have thoughtfully implemented many laws and schemes during the time of our country’s independence that have slowly undermined our rich heritage and history,”
-the plea stated.
The directive from the Delhi High Court underscores the growing acknowledgment of the diverse healthcare traditions present within India and signals a potential expansion of Ayushman Bharat to encompass these indigenous systems, promising a more inclusive and comprehensive healthcare framework for the nation.
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