Varanasi:
The revamped Panchkarma division under the Department of Kayachikitsa, Faculty of Ayurveda in Banaras Hindu University is all set to bolster medical tourism in the city, which is believed to be home of Ayurveda greats like Sushruta and Charak.
While BHU V-C, Dr Lalji Singh would unveil the revamped Panchkarma centre on Sunday (July 01), the centre is gearing to provide healing touch to number of patients from near and far away places in the country and abroad.
It may be mentioned here that Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), BHU has signed an agreement with Kerala based Ayurvedic company to extend expertise in the field of manufacture of ayurvedic drugs and Faculty of Ayurveda, BHU would ensure monitoring under public private partnership (PPP) model. While over three-decade-old division (established in 1980) is witnessing collaboration with Kerala Ayurvedic Ltd (a century-old Kochin-based pioneering Ayurveda centre that has over 40 international ayurvedic outlets in the world), the move is promising to expand the potential of one of the oldest components of medical system besides paving the way for garnering revenue through medical tourism in the city, which is already one of the favorite destinations for domestic and foreign tourists.
According to Prof TM Mohapatra, director, IMS, BHU, the agreement has already witnessed infrastructural development at Panchkarma unit under the Faculty of Ayurveda. He also emphasized that initiative would ensure availability of quality raw materials and processed materials to come up with quality ayurvedic medicines in the region.
It is also worth mentioning that Kerala has already emerged as major centre for medical tourism, attracting a large number of foreign and domestic visitors to the state. The field has made significant contribution for promoting tourism potential in the region with specialization in Panchkarma and other practices of Ayurveda.
As per Prof SK Tiwari, head, Department of Kayachikitsa and co-ordinator, Panchkarma division, BHU, the age-old practices involved in Panchkarma have already attracted a number of chronic patients across the country to the centre and the collaboration with Kerala company would definitely bolster the potential of the discipline with attractive packaging. The practice promises to provide respite from chronic pain including cancer and disc-prolapse and better packaging and facilities at the centre would attract even foreign visitors and patients, making it a truly global centre for medical tourism, he added.As per reports from the department, the unit has made rapid strides in the age-old practices of Panchakarma, carving a niche in different methods and techniques practiced by Ayurveda greats like Sushruta and Charak.
Now, cases of chronic pain including disc prolapse, cervical spondylitis, lumbar pain, arthritis, elephantiasis and others are successfully treated with Panchakarma. Apart from patients from neighbouring regions including East UP, Bihar, MP, Chhattisgarh, a number of patients from West UP and Delhi also visit the unit.
Some of the special treatment methods offered at the unit include Agnikarma (shalaka treatment) involves precise touch of red hot metal tube (pointed at one end) at specific points to give relief from pain. Besides, leaves of Aloevera and Trifala are also used to provide instant relief in superficial burn.
Conditions like arthritis, spondylitis, filaria, sciatica and muscular spasm are also treated using Agnikarma.Similarly, special methods including kativasti that witness placing of lukewarm medicated oil in metallic pan over the body that is fixed in a mixture of wheat and gram flour, is also used for treating disc prolapse, muscular spasm and ligament injury. Other practices including Nariswedan that involves treatment with vapours of medicated decoction passed through tubular pipe also provides respite from chronic pain.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Varanasi / TNN / July 01st, 2012
