- Prof. Dr. D. B Roka, Chief of Ayurveda Campus, IOM, TU, Nepal
- Dr. Aseem Baidya, Ayurveda Campus, IOM
The main Points of the Paper are as following:
Background: Buddha and Mount Everest have blessed the land, now known as Nepal. Nepal is also known for its huge natural resources and Ayurveda, probably the first human attempt for health and happiness.
Ayurveda and Modern Medicine: Ayurveda is in Practice since time immemorial. Modern medicine entered during Rana regime. Along with this, other form of medicine have been also used by government and non-government sides. Only the legal practitioners can use them. There are separate legal bodies to control them. We shall be talking about education, service and medicine supply regarding Ayurveda in a brief in this paper.
Classical Texts: The main sources of Ayurvedic knowledge are classical textbooks and traditional Baidyas, and studies/researches done in the contemporary time.
Classical Definition: Ayurveda: Ayurveda is the science, knowledge, and technology that deals with the betterment and prolongation of life. Health: A person is said to be healthy if – a) all physical components of body are in balance, b) metabolic, nutritional intake, and excretory activities are normal, and c) has happy senses, mind and soul.
Ownership: Government, Private, Community. (for education, service, or medicine/drug production etc.)
Ayurvedic Education: According to UNSECO report, formal technical education starts as Ayurvedic education in Nepal. Education in Nepal is under the Ministry of Education. Universities and Boards conduct medical education. Six colleges run paramedical courses as AAHW and AHA, equivalent to AHW and HA, under CTEVT and NSU. Some traditional practitioners learn from family practice. Council also monitors education and services.
BAMS: There are three colleges that conduct BAMS courses. Two under IOM and one under NSU, with an enrollment of 28+40+40 students each year. Those who have passed I.Sc./+2 Science with biology or equivalent can apply for entrance exam. BAMS is a 5 ½ years course. Three phases of Basic science, pre-clinical and clinical sciences with duration of 18 months to each, and 1 year of rotating internship. Curriculum gives adequate knowledge of Ayurvedic knowledge/skill and working knowledge/skill of Western Medicine as well. Nepal still has to depend on India for education of master level.
Regulation of Service and Medicine/Drug Manufacturing: is done by Department of Ayurveda, Department of Drug Administration and Council of Ayurveda MediGovernment Service Centers: There are 216 village dispensaries, 61 district health centre, 14 zonal health centre and 2 hospitals. There also are private health dispensaries, health centers, and hospitals.
Number of Registered Practitioners: 361 BAMS, 624 AHA, 166 AAHW and 19 Traditional practitioners have been registered in Council. Many traditional practitioners, AAHW and AHA are associated with other legal bodies. Government health centers still lack sufficient human resources.
Government Plan: Government wants to increase the service two or more times aiming to extend Ayurveda service up to village level.
Drug/Medicine: Singh Durbar Vaidyakhana, a trusted one, is the only government owned Ayurvedic Medicine Company, a few of government run companies that are in profit. However there is about 5 times more demand in the market than the capacity of the company. About 80 percent of the market is supplied by national and international private companies.
Services: Based on level: general check up, medical treatment, surgical, emergency, gynecological, obstetrical, pediatric medical care services are provided. Along with that the service centers also conduct preventive, health promotion, herbs cultivation and conservation, medicine manufacturing etc. programs.
Research: By now there is one separate research centre in Nepal for researches related to Ayurveda. It is helped by the people and government of China. It shall open way to further studies and evidences.
Take Home Message: There is growing need of further development of Ayurveda in health service, education and drug/medicine production. It still awaits sufficient researches, budget and human resources.
Acknowledgement: Dr. Shiva Ram Khatiwoda, Dr. Surya Upadhyaya, Dr. Vijay Bhurtel
Program: CHINA-NEPAL COOPERATION IN HEALTH AND HEALING: Integrative Medicine: Opportunities and Challenges for Research and Development Cooperation towards a New Global Health Paradigm
Venue: Seminar Hall, Research Department, Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Institute of Medicine, TU, Kathmandu Nepal
Date: 2068 Kartik 29 / 15th November 2011
Correspondence: Ayurveda Campus, IOM, TU, Email: aseemunlimited.asm@gmail.com
