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Himachal farmers to be trained to grow medicinal herbs.

akhila — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:50:21 +0000

Health and Ayurveda Minister, Dr. Rajiv Bindal, said that Rs. 2 crore would be spent for imparting training in production of medicinal & herbal plants to the farmers of Himachal Pradesh. He said that the various herbal plants which could not be sold earlier due to ban and now these had been brought under market scheme so that farmers could benefit by producing them.

Presiding over the review meeting of Ayurveda Department, Dr. Bindal said that under the able leadership of Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, the State Government was committed to provide better health care services to the people and added that main emphasis was also being laid for popularising ayurvedic system of medicines especially in rural areas of the State.

He said that during the review of working of Ayurveda Department, it was found that 1,03,257 patients were admitted in Ayurveda hospitals during 2008-09 as compared to 1,27,206 in 2009-10 which was 19 percent increase against previous year.

Health Minister said that under Panchkarma system of medicine 7211 patients and under ‘Kashar sutar’ 844 patients were benefitted so far. He said that at present 15 ayurvedic hospitals were providing Panchkarma facilities and nine ayurvedic institutes ‘Kashar Sutar’ System of medicines. He said that, however, in 2008 only six hospitals were providing ‘Panchkarma’ treatment and two ayurvedic institutes ‘Kashar Sutar’ medicines treatment to the people of the State.

Dr. Rajiv Bindal said that Ayurveda Nursing College would start functioning this year and admission in the college would start in September, 2010. He said that similarly admission in Ayurvedic pharmacy college would also start in the month September, 2010. He said that Centre of Excellence in ‘geriatric’ health care and centre of excellence in ‘Dravya Gun’ were being upgraded by spending Rs. 63 lakh on each hospital for construction of buildings, equipments and medicines. He said that construction works of 25 ayurvedic health centres buildings had been completed and added that construction works of remaining 25 buildings would be completed by the end of the year.

Splash 2011

akhila — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 10:54:06 +0000

Wayanad Tourism Organisation (WTO), the autonomous body formed by hoteliers, activity partners and Ayurveda service providers of Wayanad in Kerala, plans to tap the domestic leisure tourism market for its monsoon carnival Splash scheduled to be held on July 8-10, 2011.Kerala Tourism has also decided to add Splash 2011 into its calendar of events for the next season. It expects about 300 travel agents and tour operators to attend the event next year and will showcase adventure sports and cultural activities of the state at the carnival.

WTO will participate in road shows and travel marts organised by Kerala Tourism to promote the event. The participating members of WTO in TTF-OTM will also promote the carnival through their individual stalls. WTO will also have stall spaces in the upcoming nine-city Kerala Tourism road show. The organisation will also launch monsoon packages for 2011. Besides engaging in advertising and media publicity initiatives, WTO will also organise two familiarization trips this year. Details of the same are currently being chalked out. Splash recently concluded its second edition which was attended by 150 travel agents and tour operators from across the country. It showcased adventure sports activities like white water rafting, biking, and river- crossing at the carnival this year. In the first edition of the event in 2009, it was presented only to the local community with indoor and outdoor programmes including seminars on agriculture, photography, and cultural performances in the evenings.
While Kerala has been promoting Monsoon Tourism quite aggressively, Wayanad has been the only region in the state to launch such dedicated efforts to create an event around Monsoon Tourism.

Tourists attracted to Monsoon therapy in Kerala

akhila — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:11:19 +0000

Traditional Ayurveda therapy, especially done during the Monsoon season, is attracting tourists from across the country and abroad. Most of the dedicated centers in and around Kochi are offering special packages ; combining stay & treatment to lure maximum number of tourists.

The treatment called Panchkarma, takes out the toxins from the body. So the detoxification process is very healthy and gives more strength. It builds the resistance power and immunity

Small and big spa centers in the state have slashed the rates from 20 percent to 50 percent, to draw maximum customers. The packages may range between Rs.3, 000 to Rs.15, 000 and can include food, accommodation and specialist treatment. Organizers of the centers believe that there is a great potential for the therapy outside the state.

This promotion is to create awareness, outside Kerala as people in Kerala already know about these monsoon treatments. Monsoon therapy is also known as Karkkidaka Chikilsta dealing with internal cleansing of sense organs.

Ayurveda cluster to be built near Pune

akhila — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 10:25:24 +0000

An ayurveda industry cluster and common facility centre will be built at Kolawadi near Pune at a cost of Rs 16 crore, with the work expected to commence in 2011.

The city-based Maharashtra Ayurveda Centre Private Limited (MACPL) is building the cluster, which will have world-class raw material standardisation and processing centres, quality control laboratories, research centres, manufacturing centres for entrepreneurship and skill development in the field of ayurveda.

While the total cost of the project is Rs 16 crore, the department of AYUSH — which falls under the ministry of health and family welfare — has granted a subsidy of Rs 10 crore to the project. The remaining amount will be raised by the MACPL.

Speaking to TOI, Sunita Belgamwar, chairman, MACPL, said, “The cluster will come up at Kolawadi near Pune on the Pune-Bangalore highway. The common facility centre will be developed on 54,000 sq ft. It will benefit ayurveda drug manufacturers, traders, medicinal plant farmers, distributors, ayurveda practitioners, researchers and students.”

She said the MACPL consists of around 35 organisations that will be among the primary investors in this project. “We are expecting the project to commence by 2011. The cluster will bring additional employment opportunities in the ayurveda sector in the state.”

Belgamwar said the Union government has sanctioned two ayurveda clusters for the state and the other one will come up in the Konkan area. She said the Centre will also provide subsidy for cultivation of medicinal plants, which farmers will supply as raw material. In fact, the Centre recently gave subsidy to farmers from Vidarbha for cultivating medicinal plants.

CII Kerala and state to set up ayurveda village

akhila — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 09:55:40 +0000

The Kerala unit of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) in partnership with the health department will set up an ayurveda village in the state’s Kannur district.

“We will be the facilitator. In the village precious herbs and medicinal plants would be cultivated by the locals. We will provide them the saplings and the techniques for cultivation. Once the plants are ready, we will help them to sell their produce for a good price,” said P. Ganesh, Kerala CII chief.

He said there is a huge demand for herbs and medicinal plants from companies manufacturing ayurvedic medicines.

He also said the ayurveda hospital in Kannur would be upgraded.

Earlier in the day, a CII delegation, led by its southern region chairman Kris Gopalakrishnan, called on Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan to discuss areas of cooperation.

“We have identified areas where we will work for turning the state into a destination for investment and the thrust areas would include IT, tourism, development of traditional industries besides infrastructure development. A master plan for cities in the state also is being planned,” said Gopalakrishnan.

He also said that for speedy development of the state basic infrastructure is essential.

Ayurveda and Tourism Industry gearing up for the Monsoon

akhila — Fri, 28 May 2010 08:40:02 +0000

KOCHI: Gearing up for the South West Monsoon, which is not far away, Ayurveda and Tourism industry in Kerala are all set to woo tourists with rejuvenation packages and never before offers to beat the lean rainy season.

Monsoon is an apt time to undertake rejuvenation therapies. Synchronised massage, ‘Pizhichil, Shirodara, Njavrakizy, Nasayam’ etc all form part of the Rejuvenation package.’Pancha Karma’ therapies are also undertaken as per the demands of the visitors.

The packages range from a day to 14 days costing between Rs 600 to Rs 14,000. The patients are also given ‘Kazhikada Kanji’ (a medicated rice porridge) for body rejuvenation, says Dr D R Sadath of Kerala Ayurveda (KA).

During last monsoon season at least 50 foreign tourists, mainly from US, UK and France undertook treatments at Kerala Ayurveda Ltd (KAL) and there could be a 100 per cent increase this year, says P P Vipin, Regional Manager (Marketing) KA.

Some of them wanted to experience rejuvenation treatment during monsoon, while few others had come for treatment for skin related problems and back aches. After undertaking treatments, most got up to 90 per cent relief, he claimed.

Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) has announced its Monsoon package called “see and experience” rains under which three schemes, ranging from five to eight days, have been designed catering prime locations like Bolgatty in Kochi, Tea County in Munnar, Aaranyanivas in Thekkady, Kumarakom Waterscapes and Kovalam Samudra.

House-boating in the picturesque Alappuzha backwaters is also part of the package. Besides, boarding and lodging at affordable rates, additional linkages like spa treatement and taxi services are also being provided.

The Taj Group of Hotels is offering a third night free offer on rooms for those staying in their property for two nights, according to Thomas Roulin, Director (Sales) Taj Hotels Kerala.

Dhathri chalks out plan for affordable ayurveda

akhila — Fri, 14 May 2010 08:53:58 +0000

Ayurveda major Dhathri has chalked out a strategy to make ayurveda affordable for the masses and take it to the rural populace. Company officials said the initiative, titled Dhathri Gramodayam, was targeted at ensuring health and economic empowerment of the rural population across Kerala.

As part of the programme, the company plans to open Dhathri Ayurveda Vaidyasalas at 100 rural destinations.

Dhathri managing director S Sajikumar said the plan was to hold 100 free medical camps by the end of the year, covering all general diseases like diabetes,hypertension, arthritis, psoriasis and gynecological disorders, among others.

He said the objective was to address local health problems at concessional rates, and that patients would be referred to the Dhathri Ayurveda Vaidyasala or Dhathri’s Specialty Medical Centres, based on the diagnosis.

Under the Gramodayam programme, Dhathri will also encourage the cultivation of herbal and medicinal plants in home-based farms and gardens across rural areas, which will open up niche career opportunities in ayurveda for rural youth, officials said.

Sajikumar said the programme was also expected to revive the prospects of ayurveda in a big way.

Medical tourism defies decline

akhila — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 08:28:51 +0000

Despite the overall decline in foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) to India at 5.16 million in 2009 from 5.36 million in 2008 and 5.19 in 2007, primarily due to the global economic slowdown, safety concerns arising from the Mumbai terrorist attacks, the medical tourism industry in the country bucked the trend. This segment of the industry actually grew on account of parameters such as the low-cost and vast range of healthcare facilities provided by the country, according to a FICCI-Evalueserve study on Inbound Tourism.

The reasons are not far to seek. According to the FICCI-Evalueserve study, All medical procedures including hospitalisation and recover costs are relatively low in India as compared to Europe and America.

An increasing number of patients are undergoing treatment here due to the following reasons:

Low cost of treatment in India: For instance, a heart bypass surgery costs USD 6,000 in India, whereas the same costs up to USD 19,700 in the US.

Patients covered by medical insurance in regions such as Europe and America have to wait a long time before they can undergo treatment in their country.

Furthermore, state governments encourage international tourists by leveraging the traditional wellness systems of India. Various healthcare traditions practised in India include Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, homeopathy, naturopathy and yoga. Ayurveda is quite popular in Kerala. The Kerala government also participated in various tradeshows and expos to highlight the advantages of Ayurveda in health management. Similarly, the governments of Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have made attempts to promote spiritual tourism and yoga, respectively.

In 2007, 450,000 inbound patients were treated in India. Singapore and Malaysia are the countries competing with India in this segment. The number of patient arrivals from the US, the UK and Europe has increased in India, apart from the usual inbound patients from neighbouring countries and West Asia. It is expected that India will increase its share in inbound medical tourism in Asia to around 25 per cent by 2012

The number of medical tourists in India is expected to reach one million by 2012, with India’s share in the global medical tourism industry reaching 2.4 per cent. This market in India is estimated to reach INR 44 billion by 2012. However, the current market for Indian medical tourism is predominantly limited to patients from the Middle East and South Asian economies. However, there is an immense potential for India to cater to African patients as well. It is estimated that Afro-Asians spend up to USD 20 billion per annum on healthcare outside their countries.

The Middle East region is an important market for India’s medical tourism industry. In the last two years, there has been a significant increase in the number of inbound tourists from this region for medical tourism. Though the West is the traditional medical tourism destination for citizens in the Middle East, the trend saw change after the 2001 terror attacks in the US. Campaigns, such as Incredible India, changed the perceptions towards India and helped in promoting India as a cost effective and reliable medical tourism destination. Today, there are many global tour operators who offer innovative medical tours cum leisure trips to India.

In 2007, Indian missions in the UAE issued a total of 60,814 visas compared to 50,076 in 2006. Similarly, the Indian embassy in Oman issued 21,843 visas in 2007 as compared to 18,476 in 2006. Indian missions in 12 Gulf and Middle East nations issued 1,72,689 visas in 2007 compared to 1,49,568 in 2006, a 16 percent increase.

Though, the marketing of medical value tourism is a relatively new concept in the country, India already has world-class hospitals and treatment centres. Apart from allopathic doctors, indigenous medical practitioners provide their services in India. In 2009, there were over 3,000 hospitals and 726,000 registered practitioners in the country.

Wellness tourism a sub-set of medical tourism, comprises Ayurveda treatment, spa therapy, yoga and meditation. A niche segment, it draws high-end inbound tourists.

Ayurveda draws medical tourists from countries like the US, Canada, South America, the UK, Germany, France, Sweden, the Netherlands and even countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, Jordan, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Japan, etc. Visitors can choose between Ayurveda treatments or a combined package of Ayurveda, Yoga and meditation.

Kerala is the most popular wellness destination in India, but other states are also emerging in this segment. There is a huge demand for wellness treatments, especially Ayurvedic and herbal Ayurveda, as the effects are long term and the treatments are safe. Tourists who experience the change post treatment become repeat visitors to continue their treatment. Panchakarma, detoxification, rejuvenation, stress management and weight loss programmes are most popular among inbound tourists.

The FICCI-Evalueserve study states that the major factors that make India an attractive destination for medical tourism include:

Cost Effectiveness: The cost for medical treatment in India is approximately one-tenth of the costs in the West.

Availability of Traditional Therapies: States such as Kerala have strong traditional systems of healthcare. Kerala Ayurveda centres have been set up at various locations across India, promoting the benefits of Ayurveda in health management. Kerala has participated in various tradeshows and expos to highlight the advantages of traditional therapies.

Delhi, Mumbai, Tamil Nadu and Kerala lead the list of medical tourism destinations for medical tourism in India. The UK, USA, Canada, the Middle East and South-East Asia are the major countries that drive Indian’s medical tourism industry.

Apart from the Middle East, the number of inbound patients from western countries has also increased due to the high level of expertise and low-cost treatment.

Kerala is one of the major destinations for Ayurvedic treatment in India. A significant number of such treatment facilities also exist at the foothills of the Himalayas.

Spa resorts are coming up across India. Numerous centres or ashrams in India offer meditation as a package. In line with traditional meditation, Rishikesh in Uttarakhand is a popular destination among tourists.

Birla Kerala Ayurveda Spa To Open In Kuala Lampoor

akhila — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:54:19 +0000

Kerala’s ancient ayurveda rejuvenation therapy, known for its traditional healing of aching muscles and invigorating lethargic bodies, will soon be available in Malaysia.

India’s major ayurvedic company, Birla Kerala Vaidyashala (BKV), is preparing to open a holistic ayurveda medical spa in Kuala Lumpur by next month once the Malaysian authorities gave the go-ahead.

Spurred by the demand for alternative traditional treatments worldwide, the company was on an aggressive overseas expansion drive, with Kuala Lumpur and Colombo on its regional radar at the moment, while Singapore would be its later destination.

The company offers a range of ayurvedic rejuvenation therapies, similar to the ones found in Kerala, at its Kuala Lumpur centre, which would be managed by experts from India.

In India, besides rejuvenation therapies, BKV offers a gamut of treatments for lifestyle disorders such as obesity, arthritis and diabetes. Treatment for chronic ailments like asthma and rheumatism are also available.

At BKV centres, doctors blend exotic herbs and traditional healing methods to cure these ailments.

Ayurveda is known for prevention of diseases and it is gaining popularity & BKV is offering a range of wellness treatment for Malaysians.BKV will have one doctor and four therapists. The future expansion in Malaysia will depend on market responses

Currently, the company has 25 treatment spas in India and plans to open another 200 more this year

Ayurveda Palms & ISIC tie up to provide effective treatment to patients with Spinal and Orthopaedic ailments

bhagya — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:08:15 +0000

In a unique initiative in the field of spinal injury treatment, two completely different forms of medicine practitioners have joined hands for the benefit of the general public. Ayurveda Palms and Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), which have been using two different practices of Ayurveda & Allopathy respectively, have tied up to offer a new and effective way of treatment for spinal and orthopaedic ailments.

The treatment in the simplified form would mean patients undergoing advanced spinal and orthopaedic surgeries as they normally do at the ISIC hospital, followed by a range of natural and external therapy using natural ingredients and strict dietary measures of Ayurveda Palms for speeding up the rehabilitation and recovery process. In other words, Ayurveda Palms which uses the methodology of applying herbal pastes and yogic therapies, would help the patient recover faster with the help of the ayurvedic therapies that are economically more feasible and can be as effective as allopathic medicines. This technique is found to be more useful to the patients who prefer nature based solutions to their spinal ailments. It can also be useful in patients who are not fit to undergo a surgery.

“With its (Ayurvedic treatment) proven results in all kinds of pain which include pain in the back, neck & knee, arthritic and joint pains, headache, pressure sores and after surgery ailments etc., more and more patients are nowadays opting for this kind of supportive therapy,” says Dr. Chitra Kataria, Head-Department, Rehabilitation, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre.

“At ISIC, we are constantly looking for new ways to improve the treatment. Our experience suggests that while advanced surgeries are essential for treating spinal ailments, the natural form of medicine like ayurveda speeds up the rehabilitation and recovery process. Our association with Ayurveda Palms is an effort to amalgamate Western Science and Indian traditional medicine system, in order to cure the patient,” says Dr. HS Chhabra, Medical Director, Indian Spinal Injuries Center.

The idea behind such a combination is that not all patients would like to undergo the treatment through the allopathic process. As a result of this initiative, the patient could choose between the ayurvedic and allopathic treatment after the surgery according to his/her wishes.