The debates still rage on over why Ayurveda is yet to be allowed as a
possible Covid-19 treatment option. In fact, various studies show the ancient
science having the desired output. A preliminary study by the Department of
Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM) in the south Indian state of Kerala found the
traditional medication effective in preventing the disease. Vaidya M Prasad,
Director of Sunethri Ayurvedashramam and former principal of Ashtamgam
Ayurveda Vidhyapeedham, Palakkad, Kerala, shares his thoughts on the
matter.
The Kerala State Ayurveda Covid-19 Response Cell (SACRC) through its Amrutham
Project, meant for preventive interventions against the deadly disease, has
covered over 1.70 lakh people and only less than 1000 out of them have turned
‘positive’ later.
These figures are not negligible. Of course there are many queries to be
answered. Is the data collection done systematically? Will those individuals
who tested ‘negative’ continue to be so? If yes, for how long? Is it for their
entire life time? If not, for how long will they get the protective cover? Do
they need to repeat what they did? Or do they have to continue it on a daily
basis? These are all valid questions.
Still, the Amrutham project has become a commendable example of
mass level Ayurvedic public health intervention which is going to be registered
in the annals of history. But this achievement by the Ayurvedic
fraternity in the state, especially the SACRC and the ISM department, does not
seem to have any impact on the state’s policy decisions. They are shying away
from the reality. There may be many questions popping up in unprejudiced
minds:-
1. Why is this public health intervention successfully implemented by
the Ayurvedic workforce left unacknowledged?
2. In spite of the SACRC project being a government initiative, why is
it not propagated through the Government’s official health advisories?
3. Why do the public relations advertisements and the BSNL ringtone type
propagation not featuring these programmes?
4. Why don’t we see advises to follow Amrutham intervention
modules getting scrolled on TV screens?
5. Why do the authorities hold back from introducing Ayurvedic care for
Covid-19 positive cases in the official centres at all levels?
6. If Ayurvedic intervention is supposed to (or even claimed to) reduce
the virus spread (as in the case of the Amrutham
project), why is this data not highlighted and the Ayurvedic cure not extended
for Covid positive cases (even if the claimed results are empirical)?
7. Why are the authorities reluctant to implement Integrated Medical
Facilities for the care of Covid positive cases when the state witnesses
spiralling of the viral infection?
8. Ayurvedic physicians are contacted for medical advice on handling the
Covid-19 situations across the world. Most non-resident Keralites are taking
Ayurvedic medicines as preventive as well as treatment options. It is a
fact that anyone can contract the infection from anyone. There is no
discretion. It does not matter whether the individual is a doctor or a vaidya,
a professional or a nonprofessional, expert or a layperson. The best
possible care is the right of everyone. What is the justification in keeping
Ayurvedic physicians out from performing their duties, especially at a time
when the society needs them the most?
