Attraction towards Ayurveda treatment increases post pandemic

After the COVID-19  epidemic, the attraction of Ayurvedic treatment has increased. 56,123 people have taken the service in the last financial year 2021/22 through District Ayurveda Health Center Ratnanagar and its subordinate offices.

Out of the service takers, 9,299 outdoor services, 2,843 yoga services, 2,794 pre-work/5-day services, 1,000 senior citizen services, 189 nursing mother and baby services, and 11,444 civic health services. Other services have been taken by 813 people while 29,823 people have taken dispensary services.

In the year 2020/21, 8,71 people took the service, while in the year 2021/22, 12,665 people took the service, the center said. According to Dr. Kopila Adhikari, head of the office, the number of people using Ayurvedic medicine is increasing during the Covid epidemic. The official said, "In the past, there were many people who came to get treatment from Ayurveda after they were not cured elsewhere. Recently, more people come to get treatment first."

As the number of clients increased, the center expanded its services. According to the official, 23 medicines are given free of charge from the center and the pharmacy has been operated so that other necessary medicines can be bought for a fee. Similarly, laboratory, video x-ray and other facilities have been operated. Yoga is also being conducted at the center every day from 5 am to 6:30 am. Every Tuesday free diabetes clinic with blood test and diabetes, high blood pressure weight check and counseling services are being conducted.

The process of building a 50-bed hospital in the center premises has already started. Similarly, he said that the construction of the building of the provincial drug production center has been completed and the process of purchasing equipment and drug production has gone ahead.

Dr. Suresh Maharjan, Director of Ayurveda Medicine Production Center, said that preparations are being made to produce 36 types of medicine and oil from 133 herbs. According to him, medicine will be prepared using indigenous herbs. 80 percent of that will be local herbs.

He said that 80 percent of herbs like amla, turmeric, ginger etc. are available locally. According to him, the number of medicines will be gradually increased. He informed that a budget of Rs. 2 million has been allocated for the purchase of equipment and Rs. 6 million for the purchase of raw materials.

The center organized an interaction program with journalists on Thursday and gave information about its activities and future plans. On this occasion, the chief guest of the program, Chairman of Ratnanagar Municipality-1, Kul Prasad Sapkota, said that additional land has been arranged in coordination with the school for the expansion of the center. He said that the municipality is trying to make Ratnanagar a hub for Ayurvedic treatment treatment and discussions are underway for the operation of an Ayurvedic school.

Rajendra Shrestha, chairman of the center's operation and management committee, said that everything should be done to explain the importance of services from yoga to treatment to prevent patients from becoming sick. He expected everyone's help to make the services of the center more efficient.