AYUSH Expanding Its Outreach Through PGRS, Meets at Collectorates

KURNOOL: In a novel outreach initiative, the Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) department has begun setting up its stalls at the weekly public grievance meetings organised by the state government throughout AP to promote the traditional systems of medicine as well as improve access to its healthcare services.

Every Monday, during the Public Grievance Redressal System (PGRS) meetings held at various collectorates, hundreds of people from across the district gather to submit their complaints and grievances. Seizing this opportunity, the AYUSH department is offering free outpatient consultations and medicines at its stalls set up at the collectorates. This is increasing awareness among people about Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathy treatments.

At each stall in different collectorates, there is a team comprising three doctors, one each from Ayurveda, Unani, and Homeopathy, along with supporting staff. They are providing treatment for common ailments. Visitors attending the grievance meetings are making use of these services after submitting their petitions.

Bode Somayya, a resident of Veldurthi mandal, said he had been suffering from digestive issues. “I consulted the homeopathy doctor at the stall. I have started taking the medicines. I am hopeful of getting relief,” he said.

Officials say the initiative is intended to address the low footfall at AYUSH dispensaries across the state. Andhra Pradesh currently has 601 AYUSH dispensaries, including 334 Ayurveda, 75 Unani, and 192 Homeopathy. In addition, there are additional 136 dispensaries sanctioned under the National Rural Health Mission.

Further, the state has eight government colleges offering AYUSH education. Despite such infrastructure, many centres witness poor patient turnout. This had largely happened as doctors remained absent from the dispensaries. Officials admit this particular aspect has pushed people towards allopathic hospitals.

However, presence of doctors has been made mandatory. Speaking about the trend, Unani doctor Dr. D. Chandrika said, “At the Unani Hospital in Kurnool Government General Hospital, we are now seeing more than 60 patients daily. Except weekends, the outpatient numbers are encouraging. Many patients are also giving positive feedback after treatment.”

Stalls at the PGRS meetings are also popularising the traditional medicines. V.S. Madhusudan from Yemmiganur, who attended the grievance meeting at the collectorate, shared his experience: “I have been using homeopathy medicines for diabetes for the past few days. My sugar levels are under control.”

A revenue official at the collectorate welcomed the move, saying awareness about AYUSH facilities had been limited. “Many people do not even know where these dispensaries are located. Even basic signboards are not visible in some places. In such a situation, setting up stalls at grievance meetings is a good step. Even if it helps a section of people, it is worthwhile,” the official said.

Officials hope that with increased outreach and better monitoring, AYUSH services will gradually gain wider acceptance among the people.