The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, along with Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Arjun Munda, announced a significant National Level Project for Health Screening and Management through Ayurvedic Interventions, aimed at benefiting over 20,000 tribal students. This initiative, announced in New Delhi, represents a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Ayush, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and ICMR-NIRTH Jabalpur.
The project’s primary objective is to address the health needs of children in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) across tribal areas through public health initiatives. It seeks to cater to the healthcare needs of the tribal population, focusing on malnutrition, iron deficiency anemia, and sickle cell diseases through effective Ayurveda interventions. The initiative will encompass students aged 10-18 years from classes 6th to 12th in 55 selected EMRS across 14 states.
Highlighting the project’s significance, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal emphasized the joint effort to study and address the health needs of the tribal population. Shri Arjun Munda, underscoring the initiative’s importance, mentioned the development of healthy lifestyle practices in children based on Ayurveda principles. He also proposed the establishment of medicinal plant gardens in schools to educate students about the value of traditional medicines.
The project’s comprehensive approach includes screening for general health conditions, focusing on anemia, hemoglobinopathies, malnutrition, and tuberculosis. It aims to promote healthy lifestyle practices among students, integrating Ayurvedic principles for disease prevention and management.
This initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2022 between the Ministries of Ayush and Tribal Affairs to explore collaboration areas for tribal development. Subsequently, CCRAS developed 72 Poshan Vatikas in EMRS of 20 states and participated in mega health camps during Janajati Mahotsav at Saraikela, Jharkhand.
Ekalavya Model Residential Schools provide quality education to Scheduled Tribe children in remote areas, focusing on academic and all-around development, including health. Currently, there are 401 operational EMRS across India, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for quality education, sports, and skill development.
During the announcement, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal and Shri Arjun Munda unveiled an e-book and released a brochure detailing their joint health initiatives, marking a significant step towards enhancing the public health infrastructure and well-being of tribal students in India.