Tiruvannamalai, Theni selected for setting up AYUSH hospitals, says Naik

TIRUCHY: Tiruvannamalai and Theni districts have been selected for the integrated Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) hospitals with 50-bed capacity, said Union Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik here on Tuesday.
Tamil Nadu would soon get an official nod from the Centre in this regard, he said.
Naik was here as part of a series of events promoting the BJP-led Union government on completion of its third year of governance.
Naik said the Central government has allotted funds for constructing 100 AYUSH hospitals across the country. The hospitals will have amenities on a par with the AIIMS hospitals. The Ministry of AYUSH will provide `10.5 crore each for both hospitals.
“Further, if any district administration is willing to incorporate AYUSH clinics in any of the government hospitals, a formal request can be sent to the Ministry of AYUSH. We will do the needful,” the minister added.
On admissions to AYUSH colleges in the northern States, the minister said it will come under the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Exam (NEET), conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education, from the 2018-19 academic year.
“The demand for Ayurveda or Siddha courses have been on the rise and applications for admission to these courses have increased manifold in the previous academic year. With an aim to inculcate healthy competition among students, the admissions will be based on NEET from the next academic year,” he said.
With the International Day of Yoga scheduled on June 21, the ministry has instructed schools across the country to conduct yoga on their campuses.
Later, the Union Minister also participated in a public event at Thevar Hall to speak about the achievements of Union government in the past three year