Ayush Dept proposes creation of national commission for human resources to streamline ISM education sector

With a view to streamlining the education sector in the Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM), the Department of Ayush has proposed creation of an overarching regulatory framework by setting up the National Commission for Human Resources in Ayush. The commission is being conceived as an institutional framework to address issues related to regulation, shortage, quality assurance and inequitable availability of Ayush professionals and workforce. The commission will undertake workforce study, formulate action plans and ensure inter-sectoral coordination to promote availability of quality human resources in Ayush including that of yoga & naturopathy, which are so far not regulated /accredited in the country, sources said. The commission has been designed on the lines of the National Commission for Human Resources for Health (NCHRH), being set up to regulate the medical education. The NCHRH would subsume the existing councils like Medical Council of India, Dental Council of India, Nursing Council of India and Pharmacy Council of India. The Department of Ayush is expecting a cost of Rs.125 crore towards the creation of this commission and has sent the proposal to the Planning Commission for consideration and allocation of outlay, sources said. Similarly, the proposed exclusive commission for Ayush sector also will deal with issues related to Ayush paramedical education, HR development and regulation. It will provide autonomous bodies such as National Councils of professionals of each of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, Homoeopathy, Yoga & Naturopathy and National Board for Education, Training and Examinations and Natural Evaluation & Assessment Committee for Indian Systems of Medicine, Homoeopathy, and Yoga & Naturopathy, Nursing in Indian Systems of Medicine/Homoeopathy and courses in pharmacy. “Their head offices would be in Delhi with full time chairpersons and members and part time & nominated members. Appropriate infrastructure and manpower would be required to run the secretariats. This arrangement will help steering educational reforms in Ayush,’’ according to the concept note.