Integrative medicinal practices, Modernisation and Education
are crucial factors for development of the Indian traditional Ayurvedic system
of Medicine, noted Dr Yogender K Gupta, President of the All India Institute of
Medical Sciences, Bhopal.
“The much-needed dialogue between the different systems of
medicine should happen for an effective system of health and well-being…Integrative
Medicine, incorporating the best from both the systems of medicine, should be
increasingly practiced. Patients must be informed of the advantages and
disadvantages of both for specific conditions,” said Gupta, who previously held
the position of Head of Department (HoD), AIIMS, New Delhi.
He was one of the expert panelists attending the first of the
‘Ayush HardTalk’ webinar series held on Sunday on the topic ‘Why this conflict between
Modern Medicine and Ayurveda’.
“Ayurveda is a great science which looks at the holistic well-being. It’s
much effective when dealing with chronic diseases and specific conditions …The
education of basic philosophy behind the traditional art and science should be
initiated. The government has to help in informing the society about the system…
Not just the common man, but policy makers and politicians have to be educated
about the benefits and treatment potential,” said Arvind Kulkarni, Integrative
Oncologist BSD Trust, IC Treatment & Research Centre, Wagholi, Pune.
The Ayurvedic intervention should be supportive to modern medicines from
the beginning (in curing chronic diseases) rather than at a later stage, said
Kulkarni, who have treated over 30, 000 Cancer patients.
“Basic education and training about the other systems of medicine should be
imparted to disciples of both Western Medicine and traditional systems like
Ayurveda,” said Elensi Tsiompanou MD, FRCP, Harmony in Health Ayurveda Clinical
Lead College of Medicine & IH London, UK.
The experts called for modernization of Ayurveda through tools such as proper
documentation and statistical analysis so as to propagate the system globally with
evidence of its efficacy.
The series, being organised by the ‘Ayush Valley Foundation’ in tie up with
the ‘Ayurveda & Health Tourism’ Magazine, is moderated by Dr Bhaswati
Bhattacharya MD MPH (Harvard) PhD (Ayu-BHU). She is a Fullbright Specialist
(2018-2022) in Public Health and Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine,
Weill Cornell Medical College, New York.
The over-an-hour webinar series is held on the first Sunday of every month.
Experts and ‘Who is Who’ from various health systems will discuss the critical
issues hindering progress of the AYUSH system of medicines despite its growing
acceptance among global audiences.
ENDS
