Nearly Half of India Embraces Ayush Healthcare, Government Survey Finds

In a significant revelation, a government survey has unveiled that a substantial portion of India's population relies on the Ayush healthcare system, with 46% of rural and 53% of urban individuals turning to traditional medicine for their healthcare needs. This comprehensive survey, the first of its kind to exclusively focus on Ayush, was conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) from July 2022 to June 2023, marking the 79th round of the National Sample Survey (NSS).

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The Ayush healthcare system, encompassing Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy, has been a cornerstone of traditional medicine in India. The survey's findings underscore the widespread acceptance and reliance on these practices across both rural and urban landscapes. Covering the entire nation, with the exception of a few inaccessible villages in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, this survey collected data from 1,81,298 households, including 1,04,195 in rural areas and 77,103 in urban areas.

One of the standout insights from this survey is the high level of awareness about Ayush among the Indian populace. Approximately 95% of rural respondents and 96% of urban respondents are aware of Ayush healthcare systems. Furthermore, about 85% of rural households and 86% of urban households have at least one member familiar with medicinal plants/home remedies/local health traditions/folk medicine.

Ayurveda emerged as the most popular system among both rural and urban dwellers for treatment purposes. The survey also highlighted that Ayush is predominantly utilized for rejuvenation and preventive measures. Additionally, it delved into household expenditure patterns for treatments using Ayush medicine systems.

The methodology behind this extensive survey involved a stratified multi-stage sampling design. In rural areas, villages were considered as first-stage units (FSUs), while urban frame survey (UFS) blocks served as FSUs in urban locales. Households within these sectors were identified as the ultimate stage units (USUs). The selection process for FSUs and households from these FSUs was carried out through Simple Random Sampling Without Replacement (SRSWOR).

This survey's findings not only highlight the significant role of Ayush in India's healthcare landscape but also reflect a deep-rooted trust and reliance on traditional medicine systems among the Indian populace. With such a considerable section of society opting for Ayush for treatment and preventive care, it underscores the importance of integrating traditional healthcare wisdom with modern medical practices.