Structure and Functions of Ayurveda in Nepal

Background

Ayurveda is an ancient medical system and indigenous to Nepal with deep roots. The sources of Ayurvedic medicine are medicinal herbs, minerals and animal products. The system works through simple and therapeutic measures along with promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative health of people. Ayurveda health services are being delivered through oneCentral Ayurveda Hospital (Nardevi), one Provincial Hospital (Dang), 14 Zonal Ayurveda Dispensaries, 61 District Ayurveda Health Centers and 305 Ayurveda dispensaries across the country. The Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine unit in the Ministry of Health & population (MoHP) is responsible for formulating policies and guidelines for Opinion Ayurveda and other traditional medical system.

Various national and international policies have highlighted the importance of Ayurveda services in primary health care and for prevention of NCDs. The Constitution of Nepal has called for the protection and promotion of traditional Ayurveda medicines along with naturopathy and homeopathy. The National Health Policy (2014) has called for expansion of Ayurvedic services as have the National Ayurveda Health Policy (1995) and National Urban Health policy (2015).

Fifteenth periodic plan of government of Nepal (2019/20-2023/24) has guided planned development & expansion of Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Homeopathy & other alternative medicines. More specifically, it says:

• Structural development suitable for identification, prevention, collection & promotion of locally available medicinal herbs, minerals & animal origin medicines.
• Management &regulation of other alternative medicines based on standards & norms.
• Establishment of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy Center and utilization of Ayurveda for promotion of health tourism (Figures 1 & 2).

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Objectives

• To expand and develop functional, physical Ayurveda health infrastructure.
• To improve quality control mechanism for Ayurveda health services throughout the country.
• To develop and manage the required human resources.
• To mobilize the adequate resources for medicinal plants.
• To promote community participation in the management of the health facility & utilization of local herbs.
• To promote health status & sustainable development of Ayurveda system using locally available medicinal plants.
• To promote positive attitudes towards health care & awareness of health issues.

Strategies

• Provide preventive, promotive & curative health services in the rural areas;
• Establishment & development of Ayurveda institutions;
• Strengthen & expand the Ayurveda health services;
• Develop skilled manpower required for various health facilities;
• Strengthening of monitoring & supervision activities;
• Development of information, education & communication center in the Department;
• Develop Inter sectoral co‐ordination with Education Ministry, Forestry, local development sector & other NGO’s & INGO’s;
• Establishment of regional Ayurveda Hospitals & Ayurveda Dispensaries;
• Strengthening & expansion of research & training center of international level;
• National & International level training for the capacity enhancement of its human resources

Major Activities

Central level

• Non communicable disease Prevention and Control Program.
• Celebration of National/ International Yoga Day, Dhanvantari and Arogya Diwas.
• Guidelines, Protocol, Manual development.
• TOT on Panchakarma and Yoga.
• Establishment of patient recording reporting networking system software among Ayurveda institutions.
• Establishment of National Ayurveda, Panchakarma and Yoga Center in Budhanilkantha.
• Establishment of Regional Ayurveda Hospital at Dhangadi & Jhapa
• Strengthening program of Naturopathy, Yoga, Homeopathy, Unani, Aamchi etc.
• Purvakarma, Naturopathy & Yoga Health camp.
• Yoga, Physiotherapy and Disability Training to Ayurveda Physician.
• Quality monitoring of different Ayurveda Products available in Nepalese market.
• Monitoring of services provided by private Ayurveda & Alternative Medical Systems
• Annual review meeting in with 7 provinces.
• Revision, evaluation, monitoring and update of Ayurvedic health policy and development of
• Code of ethics.
• Evaluation and monitoring and co-ordination with province and local level.

Province and Local Level

• Yoga and Lifestyle management training program.
• Strengthening of herbal garden.
• Workshop and discussion with local traditional healers.
• Preparation IEC materials on Ayurveda.

School Ayurveda health and yoga program.
Building construction of Ayurveda institutions.
Promotive Panchakarma/Rasayan/Yoga programme for Senior Citizens.
Awareness program on medicinal plants.
Program for lactating mother (Distribution of galactogogue medicine).
Procurement of treatment equipment.