Lack of commitment to protecting traditional medicines

By Mahima Devkota, Kathmandu, Oct.21:  Ayurvedic medicine stakeholders have blamed the government for the underdevelopment of Ayurveda in Nepal. They said that there is no effort from the government and modern medicine in Nepal in incorporating Ayurveda medicines in primary health care because of which it is underdeveloped. 

In a press brief, organized by the Department of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicines on the occasion of National Health Day and Dhanbantarijayanti, Dr. Vasudev Upadhyay, Director General of the Department of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicines said that there is lack the effort to protect, preserve and promote traditional Ayurveda medicine as there are no new research, development, and in-corporations of traditional medicine in the mainstream primary health care. As a result, the public perception and consumption of traditional medicine are in dismay. 

He said, "There is an engraved but false notion in the Nepali Society that traditional Ayurveda medicines are not well tested, bad for health such as one can develop kidney and heart disease the intake of Ayurveda medicines. But, it does not carry any truth as many consume Ayurveda medicines without consulting and for a long period of time which then shows side effects." 

Along with this, there is the political unwillingness and lack of in- cooperation of Ayurveda in modern medicine, which needs to be changed to fructify this sector. 

Dr. Munkarn Thapa, Information Officer of the Department of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicines, said that many basic factors which Ayurveda has been advocating such as waking up early, maintaining health hygiene, washing hands before eating, sunbathing, doing exercises are the ways that are suggested by modern sciences to have a disease-free life. But, trust and willingness to change are put on modern doctors and modern medicines due to which Ayurveda has been under shadow for a long time. 

He said that if Ayurveda can be included in the political commitment, research, budgeting, and coordination are improved then Ayurveda will fructify.

As many as 1.7 million people have received Ayurveda treatment last year. 

Dhanbantari Jayanti Day is celebrated as National Health Day in Nepal as Dhanbantari is regarded as the father of traditional medicine.