A hospital with rays of hope

Kestur Vasuki

For the first time in the country a hospital in Kerala’s Kasaragod has developed an integrative medicine to treat Haathi Paaun or Filariasis. The Institute of Applied Dermatology (IAD) has treated more than 10000 patients based on this research in its two decades of existence.

IAD treats this dreaded and traumatic disease using modern medicine, Ayurveda and Yoga with an integrative approach. IAD has associated with many Western and Indian universities, institutions , individuals and experts to further their reach to find answers and to treat thousands of patients across the suffering population.

In India with over 2.5 crore suffering population, IAD is determined to eradicate this deformity which is known as a poor man’s disease. IAD is a nonprofit organisation referred by World Health Organisation (WHO) as the only Lymphatic clinic in India. The Kerala government has recognised IAD and many patients from across the country come here for treatment.

IAD uses integrative treatment for other disease like Vitiligo, psoriasis and other dermatological deformities. They are expanding their research base to treat other diseases like TB and Malaria.

The on-going changes in the definition of development has ignored the health sector which include deadly diseases like Filariasis or Haathi Paaun. Even though the Union government is making an effort to prevent Filariasis, this dreaded deformity has more than 2.5 crore patients suffering in the country. Even though there is no health policy as such to treat this affected population, there are some preventive measures taken to stop Filariasis.

Elephantiasis or Haathi Paaun, a deformity of the limbs caused by a lymphatic disorder is world’s largest disabling disease affecting 73 countries across the globe. India is one of the worst affected countries where millions have been affected by this dreaded infection, also known as lymphatic filariasis. India bears 1/3rd of the world disease burden.

Dr. Narahari, the “People’s doctor” has dedicated his entire life to find an answer to this impeding deformity. He founded IAD, a full-time hospital, which is dedicated to eradicate filariasis. The Institute has enormous data on the disease and working with scientists and researchers to find more answers to treat this deformity.

Narahari said “I have seen this disease in Kerala which has affected the lives of many. I found there is no government policy initiative and decided to find an answer to eradicate this disease which has also made the patients suffer from stigma and discrimination. The suffering of the people on the coastal regions has churned me and I have decided to dedicate my life to alleviate their suffering. This disease has no gender discrimination but affected the poor most”.

“The suffering of the poor in the rural area has made me to dedicate my life to find an answer to this deformity. We have tied up with universities and research institutes to find relief for these suffering millions. I hope this protocol treatment developed by us will find wider acceptance and we hope to alleviate the suffering of many more”, added Dr. Narahari.

IAD focuses on Integrative protocol of management in various diseases, like vitiligo, psoriasis, lichen planus, non-healing ulcers, warts and hemiplegia. An integrative approach combining treatments of Modern medicine (Allopathy), Ayurveda and Yoga has helped IAD to treat lymphedema and other chronic skin diseases.

The method of treatment uses modern medicine, ayurveda and yoga and has successfully treated estimated 10,000 patients suffering from lymphatic filariasis. Patients go through this treatment for a period of two weeks while staying in Kasaragod and most of them are happy to see a 30-40% reduction in the swelling with one month. They are trained to treat themselves and lead normal lives once they go home. Constant care and follow up of the treatment have cured patients and controlled the disease fully. This is called the disease of the poor and IAD is the only hospital to treat the stigmatized suffering people.

A team of British specialist doctors Dr Peter Mortimer and Dr Terence Ryan , well known dermatologists are the mentors at IAD to find more answers through integrative protocol. They are taking this treatment protocol to treat Lymphedema patients across the world.

Lymphatic Filariasis is a neglected disease of the rural poor affecting 68 million people in 73 countries. This is a vector borne disease of the tropical and sub-tropical countries due to infection by the filarial worms, transmitted by mosquitoes, which invade the lymphatics of humans resulting in pathological changes. Lymphoedema (elephantiasis) is the major disability due to this disease.

Raj Kumar Gupta, an auto rickshaw driver from Mumbai is completely cured of disability of filariasis today. IAD came to his rescue after he ran from pillar to post for nearly 40 years to find a cure for his swollen limbs. He is able to lead a normal life today and does not have to face any stigma or discrimination. There are hundreds of such examples to talk about the efficacy of the IAD’s protocol based on over two decades of research.

The Secretary, Ayush, government of India ,Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, who has seen IAD and the effectiveness of the integrative protocol to treat Haathi Paaun wants this to be part of Ayush system to treat thousands of patients across the country. He said “I have seen the protocol developed at IAD for the treatment of Haathi Paaun and other dermatological diseases and I strongly feel it should be part of a wider system to treat thousands of suffering population across the country.”

Academicians, doctors, paramedical workers and experts in medicine and other related fields from Indian and around the world collaborate with IAD to advance the treatments of Integrative Medicine, especially of chronic skin diseases that are hitherto difficult to cure.

Positive outcomes of combining biomedicine with complementary and alternative medical systems, such as Ayurveda, in the morbidity control of lymphatic Filariasis, a tropical disease affecting millions of poor in India, have been recognised even in the allopathic sector.

A non-randomised interventional study (conducted by IAD) on community level morbidity control of lymphoedema in two districts of southern India, where Lymphatic Filariasis is endemic, showed that self care and treatments that integrate Ayurveda are possible in village settings.

A total of 730 of 1008 patients completed three and half months follow-up and showed a statistically significant reduction in the volume of their lower limbs.

The IAD developed protocol is being accepted by doctors all over the world as the most effective way to treat Filariasis and lymphedema. A national policy working towards bringing awareness on the severity of the disease, its prevention and cure is the need of the hour.

Nikhil Nagawamshi, a six plus foot handsome young man, found his world crumbling when one day he found both his lower limbs swollen beyond recognition. Nikhil, an upcoming model, who would probably like to be an actor someday, thought that his world had come to an end. All visits to doctors in Mumbai and other cities were hopeless. When someone referred him to Kerala, he readily came to IAD with an open mind.

20 days later, Nikhil was a new man with 40% of his swelling gone and he knew he was on the road to recovery. Today, almost a year and a half later, Nikhil is as good as cured and on the road to leading a life he wanted and fulfil his dreams.



		EDITOR'S MAIL EDITOR'S COMMENT HOUSTON’S MEGA SHOW TACKLING SAGGING ECONOMY FEARS OF RECESSION SAGA OF CHANDRAYAAN-2 REALPOLITIK FRANKLY SPEAKING GUBERNATORIAL CHALLENGE LEFT IN KERALA KARNATAKA EDUCATION WINDOW ON PUNJAB CHANDIGARH DIARY PUJA BOAT TRAGEDY REMEMBERING RAM JETHMALANI HITS & MISSES INDIA-CHINA SUMMIT AFGHAN WAR THEATRE HONG KONG & CHINA BOOK BAZAAR BOOK BAZAAR SIGNS OF THE TIMES DISCOVERY IN DERMATOLOGY NATIONAL AWARDS ART OF LIVING Issue:June' 2019 Subscribe Now	DISCOVERY IN DERMATOLOGY A hospital with rays of hope Kestur Vasuki For the first time in the country a hospital in Kerala’s Kasaragod has developed an integrative medicine to treat Haathi Paaun or Filariasis. The Institute of Applied Dermatology (IAD) has treated more than 10000 patients based on this research in its two decades of existence. IAD treats this dreaded and traumatic disease using modern medicine, Ayurveda and Yoga with an integrative approach. IAD has associated with many Western and Indian universities, institutions , individuals and experts to further their reach to find answers and to treat thousands of patients across the suffering population. In India with over 2.5 crore suffering population, IAD is determined to eradicate this deformity which is known as a poor man’s disease. IAD is a nonprofit organisation referred by World Health Organisation (WHO) as the only Lymphatic clinic in India. The Kerala government has recognised IAD and many patients from across the country come here for treatment. IAD uses integrative treatment for other disease like Vitiligo, psoriasis and other dermatological deformities. They are expanding their research base to treat other diseases like TB and Malaria. The on-going changes in the definition of development has ignored the health sector which include deadly diseases like Filariasis or Haathi Paaun. Even though the Union government is making an effort to prevent Filariasis, this dreaded deformity has more than 2.5 crore patients suffering in the country. Even though there is no health policy as such to treat this affected population, there are some preventive measures taken to stop Filariasis. Elephantiasis or Haathi Paaun, a deformity of the limbs caused by a lymphatic disorder is world’s largest disabling disease affecting 73 countries across the globe. India is one of the worst affected countries where millions have been affected by this dreaded infection, also known as lymphatic filariasis. India bears 1/3rd of the world disease burden. Dr. Narahari, the “People’s doctor” has dedicated his entire life to find an answer to this impeding deformity. He founded IAD, a full-time hospital, which is dedicated to eradicate filariasis. The Institute has enormous data on the disease and working with scientists and researchers to find more answers to treat this deformity. Narahari said “I have seen this disease in Kerala which has affected the lives of many. I found there is no government policy initiative and decided to find an answer to eradicate this disease which has also made the patients suffer from stigma and discrimination. The suffering of the people on the coastal regions has churned me and I have decided to dedicate my life to alleviate their suffering. This disease has no gender discrimination but affected the poor most”. “The suffering of the poor in the rural area has made me to dedicate my life to find an answer to this deformity. We have tied up with universities and research institutes to find relief for these suffering millions. I hope this protocol treatment developed by us will find wider acceptance and we hope to alleviate the suffering of many more”, added Dr. Narahari. IAD focuses on Integrative protocol of management in various diseases, like vitiligo, psoriasis, lichen planus, non-healing ulcers, warts and hemiplegia. An integrative approach combining treatments of Modern medicine (Allopathy), Ayurveda and Yoga has helped IAD to treat lymphedema and other chronic skin diseases. The method of treatment uses modern medicine, ayurveda and yoga and has successfully treated estimated 10,000 patients suffering from lymphatic filariasis. Patients go through this treatment for a period of two weeks while staying in Kasaragod and most of them are happy to see a 30-40% reduction in the swelling with one month. They are trained to treat themselves and lead normal lives once they go home. Constant care and follow up of the treatment have cured patients and controlled the disease fully. This is called the disease of the poor and IAD is the only hospital to treat the stigmatized suffering people. A team of British specialist doctors Dr Peter Mortimer and Dr Terence Ryan , well known dermatologists are the mentors at IAD to find more answers through integrative protocol. They are taking this treatment protocol to treat Lymphedema patients across the world. Lymphatic Filariasis is a neglected disease of the rural poor affecting 68 million people in 73 countries. This is a vector borne disease of the tropical and sub-tropical countries due to infection by the filarial worms, transmitted by mosquitoes, which invade the lymphatics of humans resulting in pathological changes. Lymphoedema (elephantiasis) is the major disability due to this disease. Raj Kumar Gupta, an auto rickshaw driver from Mumbai is completely cured of disability of filariasis today. IAD came to his rescue after he ran from pillar to post for nearly 40 years to find a cure for his swollen limbs. He is able to lead a normal life today and does not have to face any stigma or discrimination. There are hundreds of such examples to talk about the efficacy of the IAD’s protocol based on over two decades of research. The Secretary, Ayush, government of India ,Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, who has seen IAD and the effectiveness of the integrative protocol to treat Haathi Paaun wants this to be part of Ayush system to treat thousands of patients across the country. He said “I have seen the protocol developed at IAD for the treatment of Haathi Paaun and other dermatological diseases and I strongly feel it should be part of a wider system to treat thousands of suffering population across the country.” Academicians, doctors, paramedical workers and experts in medicine and other related fields from Indian and around the world collaborate with IAD to advance the treatments of Integrative Medicine, especially of chronic skin diseases that are hitherto difficult to cure. Positive outcomes of combining biomedicine with complementary and alternative medical systems, such as Ayurveda, in the morbidity control of lymphatic Filariasis, a tropical disease affecting millions of poor in India, have been recognised even in the allopathic sector. A non-randomised interventional study (conducted by IAD) on community level morbidity control of lymphoedema in two districts of southern India, where Lymphatic Filariasis is endemic, showed that self care and treatments that integrate Ayurveda are possible in village settings. A total of 730 of 1008 patients completed three and half months follow-up and showed a statistically significant reduction in the volume of their lower limbs. The IAD developed protocol is being accepted by doctors all over the world as the most effective way to treat Filariasis and lymphedema. A national policy working towards bringing awareness on the severity of the disease, its prevention and cure is the need of the hour. Nikhil Nagawamshi, a six plus foot handsome young man, found his world crumbling when one day he found both his lower limbs swollen beyond recognition. Nikhil, an upcoming model, who would probably like to be an actor someday, thought that his world had come to an end. All visits to doctors in Mumbai and other cities were hopeless. When someone referred him to Kerala, he readily came to IAD with an open mind. 20 days later, Nikhil was a new man with 40% of his swelling gone and he knew he was on the road to recovery. Today, almost a year and a half later, Nikhil is as good as cured and on the road to leading a life he wanted and fulfil his dreams.