Set up in the year 2001 on the old Mussoorie Road in a picture perfect location in Dehradun, the Uttaranchal Ayurvedic College and hospital has established itself as an excellent academic centre for learning and research in Ayurveda and Yogic sciences in the country. On threat posed by the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and containing its further spread in population, the chairman of the institute, Ashawani Kamboj opines that government and other agencies should focus more on the ancient practice of Ayurveda for combating the dreaded viral disease.
Talking to The Pioneer, he said, “It is a known fact that apart from treatment of herpes zoster, the allopathic system does not have medicine for any other disease caused by virus. On the other hand, the Ayurvedic system is based on fitness and sickness principle for treatment.
The Kadha of Neem, Giloi and Turmeric helps in strengthening of immune system while there are medicines which treat viral infection,’’ he said. Kamboj added that the institute is working on a draft proposal which would have a comprehensive strategy for COVID-19.
He said that due to the lockdown, the college is closed but the hospital is functioning. “Our OPD has decreased from about 150 on normal days to 30-40 these days. For patients of flu, we have made separate arrangement.
We provide free treatment for poor patients. As the lockdown has affected poor the most, we are in sync with local MLA and councillor for providing help to such people. The management has also decided to donate Rs 2 lakh for PM CARES fund,’’ he said. Kamboj added that the college has started online classes for the students from April 15 so that their studies are not hampered.
The schedule of online classes is from 10 am to 4 pm on all working days. The chairman admitted that the practice of social distancing would have to be strictly followed once the lockdown is lifted and the institute is seeking the opinion of experts for remodelling classrooms, sitting arrangements of students and other campus activities in changed times.
When asked about the financial condition of the institute during such hard times, Kamboj said, “Our financial position was not good from last one and half years due to the agitation of the students which had affected collection of fees. To meet our expenses and pay salaries of staff we have taken a loan of Rs 3 Crore from bank.’’
He added that if the authorities want that the private educational institutes keep providing salaries to its staff then it should allow them to collect fees also. Kamboj opined that the government should compensate the institutes if it wants that they should not charge fees from the students.
On the question of chances of placements of the college getting affected by the prevailing crisis, Kamboj said that he expects the placements to decrease by 20 to 30 per cent. He however quickly added that medical placements would not get affected as the demand of medical professionals is more these days.
The chairman stressed on maintaining social distancing and enhancing immunity for a successful battle against COVID-19 and said that the institute has provided a six hour online training to its staff and students on all aspects of the disease and its ways to prevent its spread.