Prime Minister Narendra Modi might be trying his best to promote Yoga and Ayurveda around the world but the state of Ayurveda and medicinal herbs in Uttarakhand leaves much to be desired. The State Government too touts various schemes and plans aimed at developing Uttarakhand into a herbal State but the Government-run Ayurveda treatment facilities in the State continue to suffer due to Government apathy.
One such example of the official apathy faced by the Government’s own Ayurvedic facilities can be seen at the Panchakarma unit in district hospital at Bauradi in Tehri district. This unit has remained closed for about four months now due to lack of medicines. People from various parts of the district including remote regions continue to visit this centre for Ayurvedic medicines and treatment only to be turned away disappointed.
Ayurvedic treatment is considerably popular here considering that in 2014-15, a total of 15,824 patients had reached this centre for treatment. However, there has been a shortage of medicines here since May this year causing problems for the patients. Many patients who have been undergoing middle to long term Ayurvedic treatment for various ailments are now forced to visit Ayurvedic treatment facilities in either Dehradun or Rishikesh. Seeking treatment outside the district is not only inconvenient but also expensive for the patients while on the other hand the Ayurvedic doctors are sitting without much work at the Panchakarma centre in Bauradi due to shortage of medicines.
Villagers Tikar Ram Chauhan and Ramesh Singh said that they had to return disappointed from the Panchakarma centre due to non availability of medicines. The villagers are demanding that medicines must be provided soon to this centre to meet the medical needs of thousands of people in the area. It remains to be seen whether the authorities take the necessary action on time or maintain their apathetic attitude.