Empower Panchakarma: Need of the hour

Currently, there has been a phenomenal increase in the demand for specialized therapies of Ayurveda, particularly Panchakarma, not only for the treatment of diseases but also for preventive & promotive health care. Panchakarma in true sense, is gift from Ayurveda towards health care and the medical field of the world. The world is recognizing the Panchakarma as evidenced by a separate draft of WHO Benchmark for Practice in Panchakarma. Panchakarma has become the backbone of any Ayurveda hospital and relieves the economic burden of hospital administration. A large section of patients of musculoskeletal disorders, neurological disorders, dermatological problems, along with the other routine gastrointestinal problems, metabolic disorders, respiratory disorders, cardio-vascular disorders, Liver and hepatobiliary disorders, infertility, endocrinal disorders etc. are ready to get admitted and get treated with special Panchakarma procedures. Ayurvedic classics emphasized the importance of learning, teaching and practicing specialty sciences. In modern science furthermore, the importance given and introduced super-specialty. MCI strictly regulates institutional and private practice to make sure that specialty is practiced by a qualified person. This legal practice of specialty and super-specialty of allopathic medicine made tremendous growth. NCISM created many specialties, but they are not well regulated and complete empowerment is not given to them in practice at institute level; among this Panchakarma specialty is worst affected one. This has led to the regression of quality Ayurveda teaching and practice, and it is the high time to pay attention to empower the specialty by all NCISM and Ayurveda lovers. I urge NCISM to make laws to regulate the practice of Panchakarma and empower Panchakarma Specialists by making provisions in law to appoint mandatorily MD Panchakarma postgraduate at private Panchakarma hospital, SPA, resort and wellness centers. I call on Panchakarma teachers and specialists to stand up for the recognition and empowerment they deserve.