Naradevi Ayurveda Hospital in the field of Ayurveda

- Dr. Krishna raj Parajuli
Director Naradevi Ay. Hospital

Naradevi Ayurveda Hospital was established in Baishakh Shucla Akshya Tritiya' in 1974 BS. The formal education of Ayurveda which is also the first technical education in Nepal was also started in its boundary after ten years. At present, the Ayurveda education is under Tribhuwan University and the Ayurveda Hospital in under His Majesty Government of Nepal. But these two are situated in the same compound.

Present world has begun to discuss the usefulness of Ayurveda treatment. This discussion is due to two facts:
One – due to its inability to address the health problems of the people despite the large scale investment of money and manpower in modern medicine and

The next is – Ayurveda treatment system is less invasive to the host, that is, than modern one.

In this way, Ayurveda has proved its existence in a distinct form in the modern world. The world health organization which is in fact of and by the world modern health workers, has also taken interest to protect and promote the Ayurveda and other traditional treatment system. Here, one thing very notifiable is that the treatment system, practiced innately by Nepali, is trying to be categorized as an alternative treatment system. It is quite obvious to say that Ayurveda is an alternative medicine in the context of America and Europe because it was imported to these regions from our sides. But how the system that was imported from western world and is not our own be the principal treatment system in Nepal; how our fundamental and innate system be an alternative treatment System? The foreign advisors and donor agencies in Nepal are advising keeping ayurveda as an alternative medicine as in their countries. If we get convinced and said our system as above, its shame to say own mother as a foster mother.

The organizational development of Ayurveda is very old. The establishment of 'Simhadarbar Vaidyakhana' was in Malla era. The history of Ayurveda hospital is as old as nine decades and that of Ayurveda education is eight decades. How the system having quite long history is now in such a piteous condition? It is a matter of discussion. I like to say something about the Naradevi Ayurveda Hospital: - one of the ancient organizations established with four beds has only hundred beds till today. The organization much newer has already got its advanced forms. But its development is quite slower. Hospital and education are being conducted simultaneously (either in separate form or in the united form) but these organizations are always encountering difficulties. Their forms/patterns may be different but the problems are rising continuously instead of fading away. Having a problem is not a problem. Where there is organization, there are problems. Without problems development is impossible. For the development, identification of the problems are important. So, in many view, we could not identify our problems. The solutions will come immediately after the identification of problems. Yes, one should not raise the problems anywhere or anytime but analytic and reasonable idea or problems should be put forward. We could not identify our problems and make them distinct so they are remaining as burning coals inside the ash. Planning is needed to get ride of the problems. Planning should be done according to the policy. What are the planning and policy of Ayurveda for its proper conductance? What is its source? How can it be generated/gathered? We do not discuss regarding these facts. Ayurveda health pilicy was made in 2052 BS. It has declared; to make Naradevi Ayurveda Hospital 100 bedded, to form its management committee and to provide specialized service through the establishment of different departments. What are the services that we have said specialized services? How can we provide these services?; and What is the technology that we want to introduce? We could not identify these facts which are responsible for hindering the speed of development of Ayurveda hospital.

We made policy. We copied it from others or developed it standing on our realistic ground? This planning is written in this way: "...... many days, months, or years will need to complete this Programme........" Had we made any concrete mentality for these? What is our financial status? In Ten years we can not express our commitment towards its implementation.

Now, the work we have to do for fulfilling the commitment toward policy is to establish different department and to provide specialized services. The others have already been completed. Considering the departments of the hospital, we have to think from two sides. One- the role of teaching hospital it has been providing and the other is the role of providing health facilities through Ayurveda treatment center HMG Nepal. For teaching-learning basis, priority should be provided by establishing different branches of different departments. For example, we can provide special services like "KAMALA", "VATVYADHI", "PANCHAKARMA" etc. in KAYACHIKITSA. So we have to establish the departments through proper coordination to achieve bilateral goals of service and education. The next problem is how to manage the manpower needed for the department. It's a misfortune that the organization having such a long ration (Hospital + Campus) could not do any coordination for the development of required manpower till now. The hospital needs specialized doctors but the campus can not produce such manpower. If we analyze the policy, there is a concept of independent Educational Academy. For raising this, as said above, whether it is a copy or our own matter? Who implements it? Who initiates for its establishment? Why can not we identify the problem and go for its solution?

There is a urgent need of high level manpower for the betterment of present status of the hospital so as to provide better service and place for teaching hospital. What is the number and what will be the subject of specialization may yet be the matters of discussion. But, we should not let our philosophy, treatment system and policy die as by the fool helmsman who sank the village on discussion. So at present we can provide at least some facilities of KAYA-CHIKITSA (Internal medicine), SHALYA-SHALAKYA (ENT, Eye etc), BAAL and STREE (Paediatrics and Gynaecology & obstetrics) with specialized services. This can be said with reference to our neighbouring country. That's why current planning needs specialized (degree holder) manpower to complete the goal. The manpower needed as above can not be prepared immediately in our country. So some (eighteen) seats in KAYA-CHIKITSA, SHALYA-SHALAKYA, BAAL and STREE Roga and Acupuncture are required to the Ayurveda Department and MOH to provide for the scholarship. Ministry of Health has asked to the department of Ayurveda to assess the number of required manpower at Naradevi Hospital as well as in other Ayurveda Health organizations. Considering these events and taking quick steps, Department of Ayurveda if manages for higher study from bachelor level manpower, Ayurveda Hospital will definitely achieve some remarkable speed in its service. If not so, its development will be slower than that in the history. Our system will curse if we can not understand the speed of modern competitive age of advanced technology and information and speed up accordingly. So we must struggle to give a positive direction to this turning history and it's my desire.

- Translated by Ayurnepal.com