Four Ajush schools to be set up in AP, says health minister

Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav and Dhanvantari Sahasraayu Peetam Chairman Ravi Varma visited the exhibition stand during a workshop on importance of cultivation and marketing of medicinal plants at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram in Vijayawada on Wednesday. | Photo credit: GN RAO

Aiming to make Andhra Pradesh an AYUSH hub, the government has started development work worth ₹414 crore to strengthen the sector, Health, Medical and Family Welfare Minister Satya Kumar Yadav said.

Addressing a seminar on the importance of cultivation and marketing of medicinal and aromatic plants at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram in Vijayawada on Wednesday, Mr. Satya Kumar Yadav said that four Ayurvedic colleges are being set up in the state at a cost of ₹ 280 crore, including one each at Dharmavaram and Pithapuram and Prod Unatur Medical College. Naturopathy Medical College in Visakhapatnam is nearing its completion. All these facilities are being developed at a cost of ₹70 crore.

He said integrated AYUSH hospitals would be set up in Tirupati, Giddalur, Nandigama, Tenali, Tekkali and Rampachodavaram with an investment of ₹90 crore.

The minister noted that medicinal plants such as moringa and aloe vera have global demand and that the government is promoting value addition to agricultural production through medicinal plants to improve market opportunities for farmers.

Later, Minister for Health, Health and Family Welfare G. Veerapandian emphasized the need to strengthen public confidence in traditional medicine systems by ensuring product compliance with drug regulations.

He pointed out that medicinal plants are grown on only 30,000 to 35,000 acres in Andhra Pradesh and called for the area to be expanded.

Director of Secondary Health KVN Chakradhar Babu said that many natural remedies are available in household kitchens. He urged people to remain wary of products marketed as “natural” and to check their quality standards before buying.

The program was attended by Government Adviser on Yoga and Naturopathy, Manthena Satyanarayana Raju, Avula Chandrasekhar, Senior Director, Andhra Pradesh Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Council and others.

Published – 16 Jul 2026 0:54 IST