NPSS is also mother NGO for IEC scheme of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) since 2001-02 and has been implementing the project in Lucknow, Kanpur Nagar and Kanpur Dehat districts for the last six years with the support of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

The major objectives of the programme are:

• To propagate Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy among rural masses
• To provide treatment for common and day-to-day ailments to the rural people from locally available herbs at cheaper rates at their doorstep
• To motivate local practitioners to use their own system of medicine

As a part of the project health camps/melas, training workshops for AYUSH practitioners, community awareness meetings, yoga classes for students and training of farmers for cultivation of medicinal plants are organised on a regular basis.

Health camps, workshops and community awareness meetings are organised at the sub-centre level of the government health system under the guidance of the District Ayurvedic and Unani Officer. Presence of ANMs and other village level functionaries was ensured in these events. The discussions during these events are mainly centred round styles for different season’s awareness regarding common ailments appearing due to seasonal variations and precautionary measures to be taken to avoid their occurrence.

Yoga demonstrations are held for students of Junior High School and High School classes. The focus in these demonstrations is on its regular practice and adherence to disciplined lifestyle so as to minimise the incidence of disease and ensure good and health living.

Training for cultivation of medicinal plants for farmers lay emphasis on selection of fields for cultivation, agronomic practices, method of storage/conservation, marketing and its economics.