Prof. R. H. SinghDistinguished Professor

Banaras Hindu UniversityFormerly Vice Chancellor RAU Jodhpur

Dec. 3, 2013

Bridging Gaps and Mainstreaming of AYUSH for Better ‘Health for All’

What is AyurvedaWhat is Ayurveda Ayurveda (Ayu=Life + Veda=Science), the ancient Science of Life is the main-stream traditional system of Medicine officially practiced in India for thousands of years. It is now being updated and strengthened with scientific research and development. Because of its unique pro-nature holistic approach and safe and cost-effective Green Pharmacy, now Ayurveda is being accepted enthusiastically world-over.

The Historicity of Ayurveda goes back to ancient Vedas and its original knowledge is available today through Two sets (Three books in each) of authentic classic texts -

1. Brihattrayi (Pre-Christian Era)

2. Laghuttrayi (Medieval Period)

Ayurveda (Ayu=Life + Veda=Science), the ancient Science of Life is the main-stream traditional system of Medicine officially practiced in India for thousands of years. It is now being updated and strengthened with scientific research and development. Because of its unique pro-nature holistic approach and safe and cost-effective Green Pharmacy, now Ayurveda is being accepted enthusiastically world-over.

The Historicity of Ayurveda goes back to ancient Vedas and its original knowledge is available today through Two sets (Three books in each) of authentic classic texts -

1. Brihattrayi (Pre-Christian Era)

2. Laghuttrayi (Medieval Period)

Astanga Ayurveda Specialties

1. Kayachikitsa Internal Medicines

2. Salya Tantra Surgery

3. Salakya Tantra Opthalmology and ENT

4. Kaumarbhritya Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Gynecology

5. Agad Tantra Toxicology

6. Rasayan Tantra Immunology and Geriatrics

7. Vajikarana Sexology & Reproduction

8. Bhuta Vidya Psychiatry

The Basic Tenets of Ayurveda

Ayurveda works on its own holistic Biology based on theory of Panch Mahabhuta and Tridosha as well as its own pathology, diagnostics and therapeutics. Ayurvedic diagnosis is focused on the body-mind constitution i.e. Prakriti and interrogation and physical examination of the patient for imbalances in Vikriti including Pulse reading.

Treatment is largely promotive, preventive and rehabilitative utilizing the bio-purificatory procedures and bio-balancing by life-style management, dietetics and herbo-mineral medications.

Holistic Approach

Reductionistic

Body-Mind-Spirit Integrative Non-Integrative

Life and Health Oriented Disease Oriented

Patient Centric Disease Centric

Diet & Life style Oriented Drug, Surgery Oriented

Pronature Approach Not necessarily

Biotherapy &Green Pharmacy Chemotherapy

High Safety Unsafe & Highly Toxic

Efficacy Soft & Nutraceutical Sharp, highly selective

Cost effective Unsustainable high cost

Quality Assurance Low Better

Ayurvedic Medicine Modern Medicine

The Main Distinctions

Some Special Features of Ayurvedic Medicine

Pro-nature Approach Holistic Approach Personalized Approach

7

Why Ayurveda Today

“Health sector trends suggest that medical pluralism within which AYUSH will form a critical component, will shape the future of healthcare. This shift from singularity to plurality is taking place because it is becoming increasingly evident that no single system of healthcare has the capacity to solve all of society’s health needs. India has a comparative advantage and can be a world leader in the era of medical pluralism because it has strong foundations in western biomedical sciences and an immensely rich and mature indigenous medical heritage of its own in Ayurveda.” - Planning Commission of India

The Current Scenario and Infrastructure

Facilities Ayurveda Unani Siddha *Total

Hospitals 2394 261 280 3,192

Hospital Beds

42087 3906 2396 60,237

Dispensaries 13887 1010 463 21,376

Pharmacies 7786 376 313 9,124

Registered Practitioners

443634 46230 17560 7,24,823

UG Colleges (Admissions)

300(10220)

50(1595)

10(320)

500(25,605)

PG Colleges (Admissions)

61(1200)

09(85)

03(110)

110(2,500)

*Inclusive of Yoga, Naturopathy & Homeopathy (not displayed)

Bridging Gaps and Mainstreaming

Bilateral Integration: Education, Research & Practice

Utilizing Conventional Medicine in :Precise DiagnosticsAcute Disease ManagementTrauma and Surgery

Utilizing Ayurvedic Medicine in:Promotive and Preventive Health CareChronic Life-style related DiseasesGeriatric MedicineMental Health & Stress Management

Hence Bilateral Integration is in great public interest

The Global Trend Integration of essentials of Traditional Medicine in

conventional modern medical education (optional or compulsory) is now the global trend.

WHO Alma Ata Declaration gave a clarion call in 1978: “Health for All is not possible without help of Traditional Systems of Medicine and local resources”.

Indian Health Policy makers are now gradually coming under influence of such developments.

THE CHINESE MODEL

Following the Cultural Revolution of 1965 in China,great reforms were introduced for bilateral integration

of Tradional Chinese Medicine and conventional modernMedicine on 80:20 and 20:80 pattern which is

highly successful.

.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is playing commendable rolein health care delivery system in China, the most populous

Nation of the world,besides capturing the major part ofworld market of Natural products.

12

Glaring Lack of Interaction between Allopathy and Ayurveda

NIH Advisor David Fisenberg, while leading the US delegation 2010 to India aiming at exploration of the possibilities of introducing Ayurveda into western biomedical curriculum, was amazed to notice the glaring lack of formal interaction between Allopathic and Ayurvedic Medicine in India, showing evidence of no action on the so often talked issue of mainstreaming of AYUSH in India.

Evidence Based Practice of Ayurveda

Medhya, Vrisya, Rasayan, Vatahara Significant Antistress & Anxiolytic Withanaloid-A has neuro-regenerative effect Reported to resolve amyloid plakes in brain Retards rate of biological aging in elderly Induces wellness with reduced BPRS scores

ASVAGANDHA (Withania somnifera)

Effect of Aswagandha on Biological and Mental Scores of Aging in elderly subjects

Variables Before Treatt. Mean S.D.

After Treatt. Mean S.D.

t P

BAS Scores 14.95 4.53 19.33 4.57 3.77 <0.01

Immediate Memory Score

4.55 0.86 4.85 1.00 6.16 <0.01

BPRS Scores 32.40 5.22 22.93 2.86 6.12 <0.01

Clinical observations on effect of Brahmi

BPRS Scores in 30 cases of Residual Psychosis treated with Jyotishmati Compound

Before treat. After 60 days t p33.73 ± 1.64 23.50 ± 1.46 9.70 <0.01

Observation Mean ± SD Mean ± SD t p

Imm. Memory Span (n=22)

5.94 ±1.18 6.37 ±1.17 t=3.07 p<0.01

Mental Fatigue Rate :Work output score

711.15 ± 270.15 855.85 ± 233.55 t=5.06 p<0.01

Mental Fatigue Rate :Error Score

7.85 ± 12.65 1.85 ± 2.49 t=2.70 p<0.05

Performance Before

Treatment

After

Treatment

Mean

Difference

t & p

Mean 56.395 60.385 3.990

SD ± 04.65 ± 05.931 t = 2.37 P<0.05

Performance I.Q. in 25 cases of Educable Mental Retardation after treatment with Mandukaparni

Mandukaparni

Warranting action now

Warranting Action Now

1. Policy and Financial Reform

2. Need-based Integration

3. Promoting Medical Pluralism

4. Fast track Mainstreaming

5. National Rural Health Mission

6. Urban Health Mission

7. Educational reform, need-based

8. Research in Border areas.

Conclusion Aurveda, the ancient science of life and longevity practiced

in India for thousands of years makes an unique holistic approach to life, health, ill health and cure in full cognizance of body, mind and spirit in one sweep.

Its primary aim is to promote health and to prevent disease. Ayurveda adopts a holistic method of diagnosis giving greater emphasis on the patient and his/her health than on the disease. Treatment is focused on promotive, preventive and rehabilitative care.

Ayurveda has strength in chronic disease management, Geriatric health care, stress and degenerative diseases. While Conventional medicine has strength in acute care, trauma and surgery. Bilateral integration will be a great help in providing quality ‘Health for All’.

“Inspite of the fact that the ancient Hindu Medicine practiced in India in the earliest times was an equally developed scientific discipline as any other contemporary system in the world, its influence on the western society was small. Hence, most of the current writings in history of medicine do not have an appropriate mention of the contributions of ancient Indian medicine”.

Welch, C.S. 1968

Thank You