- Author : Sushma Krishna, Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology,
We live in a country of diverse cultures, traditions, cuisines, and languages and this makes us special and unique to the world. So is our pluralistic healthcare delivery system. The health-seeking behaviour of patients is based on their symptoms and the perceived belief in the potential cure. It ranges from system providers such as Ayurveda, Allopathy, Unani, Sidda, and so on. Whatever the delivery platform be, the goal stands shared: improving health. The healthcare delivery landscape is evolving rapidly and is driven increasingly by the demand for holistic and personalized patient treatment approaches. While Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine, can provide personalized and preventive care for chronic diseases with emphasis on natural remedies, diet, and lifestyle modifications, Allopathy or Modern Medicine on the other hand, can offer quicker relief by using advanced technology for diagnosing and treating illnesses with evidence-base. Lifestyle-related chronic disorders are on the rise today and modern medicine has little to offer in this field despite the technological advancement. It is our vision that by integrating the two unique systems which so well can complement each other, comprehensive health services can be delivered through this holistic approach.
While this integration sounds promising, many challenges need to be addressed, the most important being the differences in the principal foundations or the basis of respective belief systems. The difficulty arises in understanding how and what needs to be integrated. Preventive Modern Medicine can lead to better management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis by incorporating Ayurvedic dietary recommendations and stress management techniques alongside conventional treatments that improve the quality of life. The community outreach camps at rural Abbigere and adjoining areas organized by our BGS Medical College’s Department of Community Medicine can stand as an example of this integration. The weekly psychiatrist (Specialists) consultations can integrate Meditation classes delivered from Yoga therapy for the required patients. The Obstetrics specialists and Prasuthi tantra and Striroga practitioners can have natural yoga and birthing camps arranged both at the delivery suites at the hospital and the peripheries for the benefit of people. Deep relaxation Ayurvedic therapies from Swasthavritha and Yoga may be administered to high-risk pregnancy groups and the OB department may support this. If the Ayurveda system can introduce rigor in science and research methodologies including stringent clinical trials: For Example- a newer plant-based phyto compound as alternative therapy (with safety and efficacy) to antibiotics, in this hour of soaring antibiotic resistance, the faith, acceptance, and confidence in the Ayurvedic therapies may be restored and validated. Infectious disease medicine can follow the no-antibiotics approach easily by trying out the Kayachikitsa practices of restoring normal body functions in viral infections. Standardizing Ayurvedic treatments is essential for integration. Variability in the quality and potency of Ayurvedic herbs and formulations can affect treatment outcomes. Developing standardized protocols from Ayurveda and ensuring quality control in the prescribed chikitsa medicines is crucial. Developing a framework that supports the integration such as establishing guidelines for co-practice, ensuring the quality and safety of Ayurvedic products, and promoting collaboration between practitioners of both systems is needed. Uncomplicated small renal and gall stones may be given a trial therapy of non-invasive techniques from Ayurveda before invasive surgeries are recommended. In the surgical wing, post-surgery, and at discharge, Ayurveda can offer supportive therapies to improve overall well-being, reduce stress, and enhance recovery through lifestyle modifications and natural remedies. The Physiology and Psychiatry departments already have integrated Yoga therapy into the NMC curriculum. Anatomy and Rachanasharira Departments may share common teaching methodologies as integrated classes for students on the structure and functions of the human body. In the days where busy modern medicine Practitioners have very little time to talk to their patients, a personalized Ayurvedic co-practitioner who is a good listener and who may address the unique constitution of the patients with personalized care without the risk of side effects is a definite welcome.
Ethically choosing the right combination for the right patient after weighing the benefits and risks involved for each patient is the key to integration and it is a big responsibility for the treating consultants. We need progressive and open-minded modern medicine practitioners. If the Allopathy system may accommodate fellow practitioners with respect for Social and spiritual health, that’s a good start for obtaining optimal patient results. An intermediary platform needs to be established to retain the originality of both systems and balance the synergies. Acknowledging that both systems rely on one another, and are compatible at some point in time in patient care and bridging this gap seems the way forward to enhance patient-centred care. In the coming days, our university plans for training programs and continued education for medical students and practitioners with a thorough understanding of Ayurveda and its integration with modern medical practices.
Our centuries-old traditional system, indeed, is usable gold when amalgamated with the technology and scientific advancements of today’s modern medicine.
We need both eyes for complete vision. Sarve Janaha Sukhino Bhavanthu. Sarve Santhu Niramaya.
