Welcome, Doctor!
If you’re looking to establish an AYUSH Wellness Centre, it’s important to understand the minimum standards required under the Clinical Establishment Act.
This will help ensure your centre operates within legal boundaries and provides quality service to your patients. In this guide, we will walk you through the essential steps and guidelines for setting up a wellness centre that adheres to the regulations and offers holistic health benefits to your clients. Let’s get started.
What is a wellness centre?
Wellness refers to a holistic state of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, achieved through a balanced and integrative approach to health. It includes prevention, preservation, promotion, and rejuvenation. At an AYUSH Wellness Centre, the focus is on:
- Physical Health: Maintaining balance through natural care, diet, exercise, and rejuvenation therapies from Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, and Homeopathy.
- Mental Health: Achieving emotional and mental stability through mindfulness, meditation, and counselling.
- Spiritual Health: Promoting inner peace and self-awareness through practices like meditation and pranayama.
- Preventive Care: Preventing diseases through health assessments, lifestyle changes, and traditional therapies.
- Promotional Health: encouraging positive health behaviours and providing community education on wellness.
- Rejuvenation: Offering therapies to improve vitality and overall well-being. Homeopathy, yoga, and naturopathy. You must offer at least one of these wellness interventions, and your practitioners should have a recognised graduate degree or certification.
- Day Care Centre for Wellness: Offers short-term services, requiring less than 12 hours of stay, with a focus on rejuvenation, preventive care, and health promotion.
- Residential Care Centre for Wellness: Provides continuous 24/7 wellness services for clients staying overnight. The centre must have in-house registered practitioners for personalised care.
Scope of Services
As a doctor venturing into the creation of an AYUSH wellness centre, you have the opportunity to offer a wide array of holistic and integrative therapies that cater to both the physical and mental well-being of your patients.
By incorporating traditional healing practices and modern wellness techniques, your centre can become a sanctuary for those seeking balance, vitality, and healing. Here are the diverse services you can consider offering, broken down by various therapeutic systems.
- Ayurveda: Abhyanga, Swedanam, Pada-abhyangam, Pratimarsh, Nasyam, Shirodhara, Pathya Aahar Vihar (Ayurveda Dietetics), Sirobasti, Siro-abhyangam, Akshi Tarpan, Saman Snehapan, Mridu Virechan, Podikhizi, Anuvasan Basti, Rasayan Karma, Pidichill, Pinda Sweda, Pichu, Lepa, Pradeha, Parisheka, Avgaha, Anjana, Anna-lepa, Aschotana, Dhoopan, Sthanik Basti, Gandusha, Kaval, Kshalana, Karnapuran, Mukhlepa, Moordha Tailam, Sirolepa, Udwarthana.
- Homeopathy: Diet and Regimen, Massage Therapy, Inhalation/Olfaction Therapy, Psychotherapy.
- Unani Ilājbiʾl-Tadbīr (Regimenal Therapies): Inhalation (Shamūm), Dry Cupping/Cupping Without Scarification (Ḥijāma Bilā Sharṭ), Fomentation (Takmīd), Footbath (Pāshoya), Fumigation (Bakhūr), Irrigation (Nutool), Massage (Dalk), Oil Immersion (Tamrīkh), Oiling (Tadhīn), Sitz Bath (Ābzan), Steam Bath (Inkibāb), Mouth Washing (Madmada), Nasal Drops (Saut), Sweating (Taria), Medicated Oil Massage (Masuh).
- Siddha: Thokkanam, Vedhu, Kazhicchal, Varthi, Peetchu, Nasiyam, Nasikaparanam, Mai, Kalikkam, Varmam (Vasi – Energy-Based Therapy), Mai (Collyrium / Medicated Eyeliner), Thokkanam (Siddha Therapeutic Massage), Kalikkam (Eye Drops), Siddhar Yogam & Astanga Yogam, Kali (Paste), Thirumoolar Pranayamam, Seelai Neer (Medicated Water), Thuvalai (Herbal Paste Massage), Pasai (Ointment/Cream), Podi Thimiral (Dry Herbal Powder Massage), Pugai (Fumigation), Attai Vidal (Leech), Aavi Pidithal (Steam), Vedhu (Herbal Steam Therapy), Kazhicchal (Purgation), Pattru (Poultice), Varthi (Medicated Wick), Ottradam & Kizhi Therapy (Pack Fomentation), Peechu (Enema), Nasiyam (Nasal Instillation), Puravalayam (Oil Damming), Seelai (Medicated Gauze/Plaster), Patti Kattal (Oil Bandaging), Poochu (Topical Painting), Nasikaparanam (Nasal Insufflation), Thaarai Ozhukkal (Medication Instillation).
- Sowa Rigpa: Num-chos (Snehana) – Preliminary Oil Therapy, Na-sMan (Nasyakarma) – Nasal Medication, Dugs (Compress Therapy), Lums (Medicated Bath), Byug-pa (Massage Therapy), Mild Shal (Purgative Therapy), Jam-rtsi (Mild Suppository), Ni-ru-ha (Enema), Zangbum (Cupping Therapy), Hor-gi-metsa (Compress Oil Heat Therapy), Lhang-lum (Steam Therapy).
- Yoga & Naturopathy: Yoga Asana, Pranayama, Bandha, Shatkarma, Hydrotherapy, Mud Therapy, Chromotherapy & Magnetotherapy, Massage Therapy, Acupressure.
Additionally, first aid services and basic life support should be available at all centres.
Minimum Space Requirements for AYUSH Wellness Center
To ensure a comfortable and effective environment, your wellness centre must meet the following space and infrastructure requirements:
Infrastructure
- Signage: Display the centre’s name, doctor’s name, registration number, fee structure, and services offered in at least two languages.
- Other Requirements: Ensure easy access for visitors, maintain a clean and hygienic environment, provide potable water, a 24-hour electricity supply, and have well-maintained washrooms. Furniture and fixtures should be appropriate for the activities of the centre.
Minimum Space Requirements
- Outdoor Care Centre for Wellness: At least 75 sq. ft. for consultation and drug dispensing units.
- Day Care Centre for Wellness: At least 75 sq. ft. for consultation, reception, waiting area, and drug dispensing units. An additional 75 sq. ft. is required for one therapy room with an attached washroom. Total minimum space: 150 sq ft.
- Residential Care Center for Wellness: At least 75 sq. ft. for consultation, reception, waiting area, and drug dispensing units. An additional 150 sq. ft. is required for two therapy rooms with attached washrooms. You’ll need 75 sq. ft. for the client stay area. Total minimum space: 300 sq ft.
Other Requirements:
- The wellness centre must ensure easy and comfortable access for all visitors.
- Integration of the ABHA identity is desirable.
- The wellness centre shall be designed and maintained to provide a safe, clean, and hygienic environment for all visitors.
- There must be a 24-hour provision of potable water for drinking and hand hygiene, along with a consistent supply of electricity, either through direct supply or alternative sources.
- The wellness centre should have clean public restrooms. In the case of therapy rooms, each room must be equipped with an attached washroom.
- Furniture and fixtures should be provided in accordance with the centre’s activities and workload. They should be functional, durable, and properly maintained.
If you plan to serve more clients, the space requirement increases proportionately.
Furniture and Fixtures
To maintain comfort and functionality, the following furniture and fixtures are required:
- Doctor’s Chair
- Doctor’s Table
- Client’s Stool
- Examination Table
- Foot Step
- Chair for Attendants
- Stretcher
- Wheelchair
Equipment Required for Wellness Centers
Your wellness centre must be equipped with necessary general wellness assessment tools and specific therapy equipment. Regular inspection and maintenance of all equipment are crucial. Below is the list of equipment required for your AYUSH wellness centre:
General Equipment:
- Stethoscope
- B.P. Apparatus
- Thermometer
- Tongue Depressor
- Weighing Machine
- Pulse Oximeter
- Nebulizer
- Glucometer
Therapy-Specific Equipment:
- Ayurveda: Abhyanga table, gas/stove, Swedan Yantra, Shirodhara Yantra.
- Unani: Hijama cups, foot stool, vacuum cupping pump.
- Siddha: steam chamber, Thokkanam table, Nasya Yantra.
- Yoga & Naturopathy: Yoga mats, hydrotherapy equipment, acupressure equipment.
- Homeopathy: treatment tables, hydrotherapy apparatus.
Drugs and Consumables
If your wellness centre dispenses drugs or herbal products, ensure they are stored in a safe, clean, and well-lit environment. Adhere to the applicable laws regarding drug storage, inventory management, and dispensing.
Human Resource Requirements
To ensure smooth functioning, hire qualified staff for your wellness centre. They must hold at least a graduate degree in the relevant Ayush systems and maintain their professional registration. Personal records of all staff members must be kept.
General staff requirements:
- Doctor: One registered doctor for each wellness centre.
- Therapist: One male and one female therapist for up to 16 therapies per day.
- Pharmacist: One pharmacist (if you offer an in-house pharmacy).
- Staff Nurse: One nurse for residential care centres with up to 20 clients.
- Housekeeping Services: As required (either in-house or outsourced).
Additional Staff for Residential Care:
- Extra doctor if more than 20 clients are staying.
- Additional therapists if more than 16 therapies are provided per day.
- Additional nurses based on client load.
Legal or Statutory Requirements
Make sure to comply with all local laws, especially regarding biomedical waste management. You must also register your wellness centre with the appropriate authorities.
Record Maintenance and Reporting
Maintain secure and confidential client records. Follow local or national laws to manage records, especially in residential centres.
Basic Processes
To ensure a smooth and professional environment, your wellness centre should follow these processes:
- Register all clients.
- Have clear billing procedures with accessible pricing information.
- Conduct an initial assessment for all clients by qualified personnel.
- Provide therapies according to safety standards.
- Ensure female clients are treated with dignity and female attendants are present during physical examinations by male therapists.
Support Services
Your wellness centre must include:
- A registration/help desk and billing counter.
- Proper waste management systems that comply with local regulations and biomedical waste management rules.
Clients' Rights and Responsibilities
Clients’ Rights:
Right to Information: Clients should have access to information about wellness care and expected results.
Right to Transparent Pricing: Pricing for services should be clearly displayed.
Right to informed consent: clients must provide informed consent before any therapy.
Right to a Second Opinion: Clients can seek a second opinion from a clinician of their choice.
Right to Confidentiality and Privacy: Ensure that client dignity and privacy are maintained.
Right to Gender Sensitivity: Female clients should have a female attendant during physical examinations by male practitioners.
Right to Non-Discrimination: All clients should receive equal treatment.
Right to Respect and Dignity: Treat all clients with respect.
Clients’ Responsibilities:
Provide accurate health information.
Cooperate with wellness providers during treatments.
Follow medical instructions provided by wellness providers.
Refrain from violent or aggressive behaviour towards staff.
Wrapping it Up
Opening an AYUSH Wellness Centre is a fulfilling and impactful way to contribute to the health and well-being of your community.
By providing holistic treatments through Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Siddha, Yoga, Naturopathy, and Unani systems, you are empowering individuals to achieve optimal health in a natural and balanced way.
By adhering to the necessary guidelines, space requirements, and equipment standards and maintaining a focus on both physical and mental well-being, you can ensure that your wellness centre is not only legally compliant but also a safe, inviting, and effective place for healing.
With the right infrastructure, skilled staff, and dedication to providing quality care, your wellness centre will thrive as a trusted hub for holistic health.
Good luck with your new wellness centre! May your efforts bring health, peace, and vitality to many lives.
See Also: How To Open An AYUSH Clinic Or Polyclinic: A Complete Guide
