Diversity of Ayurveda Medical Practitioners in Sri Lanka and Their Practices in Addressing the Emerging Health Issue

Wellbeing of people has been deeply threatened worldwide due to several emerging health hazards, predominantly including the non-communicable diseases. Despite the instantaneous benefits of Allopathy, an increasing interest is developing toward local medical systems in responding to such health hazards, mainly due to the limits of Allopathy. Ayurvedic practitioners’ role in this regard is crucial. This research thus strive to understand diverse nature of health care practices and discuss how this diversity is employed to diagnose and treat emerging health hazards such as the prevalence of communicable and non- communicable diseases. This qualitative study was conducted through in-depth interviews with forty five Ayurvedic medical practitioners. Data were analyzed thematically. The analysis was done based on three groups: Graduated, Diploma holders and Deshiya Chikitsa clinicians. Although these three groups of practitioners commonly believe in principles of Ayurveda treatment procedures, the method of addressing the current health problems varied. This study recommends to formulate a well- established legal framework to incorporate these Ayurvedic practitioners to the National Healthcare system, So that their contribution can be effectively obtained to address emerging health hazards.