6% of Indians sought traditional treatment

New Delhi: To promote use of traditional medicines in the country, the government is considering setting up of National Board for Promotion & Development of Yoga and Naturopathy.

Minister of state for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik informed the Lok Sabha on Friday that the proposed board will enhance the quality of alternative medicines, develop human resources and standards and will also promote accreditation framework relating to yoga and naturopathy for voluntary implementation by institutions, including drafting of curriculum and syllabus for various degrees, diploma and programmes.

Around 6% people of the country have received treatment from traditional medicine systems, including ayurveda, homeopathy and yoga, the latest NSSO survey said. The government has also approved 161 AYUSH wellness centres and given financial assistance to 31 institutes to preserve rare and precious AYUSH books for translation and publication.