Fund crunch hits Panchkarma centre

Sumeer Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 22

There could not be a better picture of the neglect than the one mirrored by the Panchkarma unit running from the premises of Bhai Mani Singh Civil Hospital.

The unit, an arm of the Ayurveda centre, is neither getting regular supply of medicines nor funds for the maintenance of medical equipment installed at the centre.

Erratic supply of medicines and scarcity of funds hamper its operations.

Established in 2013, the lone Panchkarma (technique to heal ailments via detoxification of human body) facility in the Malwa region would have ceased to exist if it was not for the medical staff of the Ayurveda centre.

The medical staff not only leave no stone unturned to provide treatment to patients by making arrangements for medicines on their own but also spend money from their pocket for the upkeep of the Panchkarma equipment installed in the centre.

Surprisingly, the required herbs (for steaming) and oils (for detoxification) to perform different procedures of treatment under Panchkarma were never supplied to the centre by authorities, except for a few months in the beginning when the centre was established in 2013.

The situation for supply of Ayurvedic medicines is also not so different and scarcity often pushed the staff to manage affairs on their own.

Dr Anurag Giridhar, Ayurvedic Medical Officer-cum-in-charge at the Panchkarma centre said, “We have no choice but to continue working and contributing from our own pocket else we would not be able to treat patients. Contrary to the towering claims of State Health Department to uplift the stature and promote this ancient medical technique of healing, the state of affairs at the Panchkarma centre is disappointing.”

He added, “To ensure that patients do not run from pillar to post for their treatment and keep the affairs running here, I spend Rs 2,000 from my pocket every month for the maintenance of the equipment and herbs. I also pay Rs 700 to the cleaning staff every month.”

The centre has equipment such as Nadi Svedan Yantra, Shirodhara Yantra, Sarwand Dhara Yantra, Agnikarma Shalaka and Peti Sveda Yantra.

The equipment for Panchakarma treatment need regular maintenance and replacement of some parts such as heating element, electronic equipment, rubbers, wiring and plugs.

On an average, the centre sees 50 to 60 patients on daily basis. Patients not only visit the centre to get treatment from remote areas of the district but also from other districts such as Barnala, Mansa, Abohar, Jalandhar and Sri Ganganagar.

Manisha Aggarwal, District Ayurveda Officer, said, “We are awaiting funds. As and when we get them, all pending issues would be resolved on priority.”

RK Sharma, director, Ayurveda Punjab, denied anything of the sort. “I will get in touch with the official concerned in Bathinda to know if there is any requirement of funds or equipment.”