To improve the health and well-being of tribal students across India, the Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, announced a joint National Level Project on Health Screening and Management through Ayurvedic Interventions. This collaboration between the Ministry of Ayush, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and ICMR-NIRTH Jabalpur, aims to benefit over 20,000 Tribal Students.
During the announcement in New Delhi, Sarbananda Sonowal emphasized the importance of making every Indian disease-free to achieve self-reliance. He highlighted the role of Ayurveda in addressing major health concerns such as Malnutrition, Iron Deficiency Anemia, and Sickle Cell Diseases prevalent among tribal populations. The project is set to cover students aged 10-18 enrolled in classes 6th to 12th across 55 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in 14 states.
Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda, also present at the event, expressed the significance of starting a national-level project on health screening and management for Eklavya students. He stressed the importance of developing healthy lifestyle practices rooted in Ayurvedic principles to improve the overall well-being of children and prevent diseases.
The project will focus on screening the general health conditions of students, with particular attention to Anaemia, Haemoglobinopathies, Malnutrition, and Tuberculosis. Efforts will be made to integrate Ayurveda-based approaches into disease management and promote healthy habits among students.
This initiative builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Ministry of Ayush and Ministry of Tribal Affairs in October 2022 to explore collaboration for tribal development. Previously, CCRAS had developed 72 Poshan Vatikas in EMRS across 20 states, demonstrating a commitment to holistic health and traditional medicine.
Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) play a crucial role in providing quality education to Scheduled Tribes (ST) children in remote areas, aiming to equip them with skills for higher education and employment. The schools not only focus on academic education but also on the overall development of students, including their health. During the announcement, Sarbananda Sonowal and Arjun Munda unveiled an e-book and released a brochure outlining their joint health initiatives.
