NE’s first dedicated Panchakarma Block at CARI records huge footfall in first 100 days

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 9, 2024

Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI) Director Dr. Dinesh Baruah announced on Wednesday that the Ministry of Ayush is prioritizing the enhancement of quality patient care through various programmes and campaigns.

Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, Dr Baruah highlighted that within the first 100 days of the new government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ministry successfully organized over 14,000 health camps specifically targeting geriatric patient care.

Baruah expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from the Union Minister of State (Independent) for Ayush, Pratap Rao Jadhav, as the ministry continues to affirm its commitment to improving the quality of life through Ayurveda. This effort significantly contributes to enriching the Ayush ecosystem.

“At CARI’s centre in Guwahati, there has been a particular focus on upgrading patient care facilities, including the inauguration of the Northeast’s first dedicated Panchakarma block earlier this year by former Union Ayush Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The Panchakarma block has received an overwhelming response, with more than 4,500 patients undergoing therapeutic treatment in its first 100 days,” Dr Baruah said.

He also said the centre is home to the region’s first Pharmacology and Chemistry Laboratory, which was also dedicated to the nation earlier this year. This facility aims to enhance research and development in Ayurvedic medicine, further supporting the ministry’s goal of improving healthcare services and patient outcomes in the region.

Dr Dinesh Baruah noted that both the dedicated Panchakarma block and the Pharmacology and Chemistry Laboratory at CARI were completed in a record time of just two years, following their foundation stone laying by Sarbananda Sonowal in February 2022.

He highlighted various ongoing initiatives, such as the Anaemia Control among Adolescent Girls program under Mission Utkarsh, the study on Marsa Nasya Karma, a Multi-Centre Feasibility Study for Cervical Spondylosis, the Ayurvedic Mobile Healthcare Programme, the Tribal Healthcare Research Programme, and the Women & Child Healthcare Programme.

Dr Baruah emphasized that these outreach programs and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns have significantly contributed to the Ayush sector’s resurgence, helping to rebuild trust in Ayurvedic treatments as a reliable source for enhancing quality of life.

He also pointed out the increasing number of patients receiving treatment at CARI, reflecting a renewed confidence among the public in the effectiveness and utility of the Ayush system of medicine.

Additionally, CARI has established healthcare centers in several districts, including PHC Barighat and Amranga in Kamrup, Nakhla Model Hospital in Jagiroad, Morigaon, Dhula MPHC in Darrang, Nasatra PHC in Barpeta, Kanaklata Civil Hospital in Sonitpur, Bikali Model Hospital in Dhupdhara, Goalpara and a first Referral Centre in Lumding, Hojai district.

He said these initiatives and facilities aim to enhance healthcare access and promote Ayurvedic practices across the region, further supporting the government’s vision for holistic health and well-being.

There were a total of 30,253 beneficiaries in the last year 2023-24. This year the number of free health camps beneficiaries was 7,079 and the total number of camps was 63. In last 100 days total beneficiaries in OPD of AHC and Health Camp is 2910 and total 19 health camps are organised by all seven centres.

All these camps are organised by the AHCs of the surrounding areas which provide medicinal health facilities to a large number of people.

Speaking further, Dr Baruah said, “CARI is also conducting Medico Ethnobotanical Survey programme in the entire Northeast India. A first of its kind survey, this will critically appraise and validate Local Health Traditions (LHTs), Oral Health Traditions (OHTs) and Ethno Medicinal Practices (EMPS) among the ethnic communities of the region. Our team has so far interviewed more than 400 folk medicine healers and claims have accordingly documented. Another Study on Wild Edible Plants has been sanctioned with 12 districts of Assam; I.e. Kamrup (M), Kamrup, Bongaigaon, Nalbari, Barpeta, Goalpara, Dhubri, South Salmara, Chirang, Kokrajhar, Baksa, Udalguri & Bajali to be covered in the first phase this year. CARI also has a modern pathological laboratory which has been offering wide range of pathological and biochemical tests at nominal rates. This lab has received NABL Accreditation, making it one of the few labs with top accreditation in the region. We conducted close to 50,000 tests last year. In last 100 days, our team at the Lab has conducted more than 19,325 tests as it set to outrun it’s last year’s performance.”

The dedicated Panchakarma Block at CARI has been providing best Panchakarma therapies to people at reasonable rates. The researchers are also examining the role of Panchakarma in healing patients as well as enriching the quality of lives of the people.

A Panchakarma Training Course is also undergoing here to train panchakarma technicians, ensuring quality resources for the Ayush market. The building equipped with dedicated rooms to perform key Panchakarma therapies like Snehana and Swedana room, Shirodhara room, Basti room. A medicine lab to prepare medicines used in the Panchakarma like Kwath preparation and making of Basti Dravya has also been created.

Space has also been made for dedicated classrooms to train Panchakarma technicians under the Panchakarma Technician Course. Various machines like New Panchakarma Droni, Bashpa Swedana Yantra (steam chamber), Nadi Swedana Yantra, Sarvangadhara Yantra, Shirodhara Yantra, Basti Yantra, Nasya applicator, Avagaha tub, Sauna chamber and other key instruments are also being installed for effective Panchakarma treatment.