Training at CIKS organic Farm, Chukkankollai

CTMR organized a one day training programme for the Field staff of the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems, a well known Voluntary organization working with farmers on preserving native varieties of Paddy, Other Grains, Vegetables and also promoting research in Organic farming. The Small Group of Staff from Sirkazhi, Cukkan kollai, Chengalpattu and Chendurai in Dindigul took part.

The Session started with a presentation on locally available biological resource particularly medicinal plants and its utility by Vd.S.Usman Ali- Director CTMR. He explained the use of 35 species of medicinal plants which are common throughout Tamilnadu and have great value. As he explained the trainees felt, that they have missed out on using these plants for such a wide spectrum of conditions. Dr.S.Rajkumar explained the need to follow the daily regimen and seasonal regimen mentioned in Indian Traditional Health Sciences and said most of the suggestions are simple to practice. He further elaborated on the most common ailments that afflicts rural households and suggested simple remedies that could be prepared at home if the common plants suggested by Vd.S.Usman Ali were grown as Home herbal gardens.

This session was followed by a field visit to the plots in which 100 varieties of Paddy or Grown and Mr.K.Subramanian and Mr.Pandeeswaran of CIKS explained the key features of each of them. It was an awesome experience. After a delicious lunch with organically grown ingredients- Grains, vegetables, spices the afternoon session was on Managing Lifestyle disorders the traditional way- primarily Siddha approach and how the Volunteers should take it forward to the Farming community. Dr.T.Thirunarayanan, the speaker suggested that to promote these lifestyle interventions one need not be a physician.

Mrs. Sundaravalli listed out recipes that could help overcome diseases like allergy, Anemia,Asthma, Osteoarthritis, Obesity, renal stones etc.

Then there was an very interesting interactive session and a list of Medicinal plants for Home Herbal Garden was drawn along with a list of Plants that would be collected from the neighbourhood. Mr.Pandeeswaran assured to develop nursery of the 18 Species suggested to be distributed to farmers and Mr. K.Subramanian suggested taking this forward to the Community in Jawadhu hills and Natham region.

Ms.Parimala did a good facilitation for the training programme.

Invitation for 'Awarding of Certificates to Traditional Health Practitioners

The Event Starts at 9.30.A.M
Request confirmation of Participation to 04422600440/22533399

Lecture on Suvadigal at CTMR

Vijayadasami- The last day of dauserra is considered an auspicious day for commencing new learning and day of showing respects to Guru. CTMR has been celebrating this day every year as a get to gather of all well wishers of CTMR activities  and for planning new activity for the following year. Every year an lecture/workshop is organized on some topics of importance to Traditional Medicine. This year lecture is on Siddha Palm manuscripts by  Pandit. Tanjavur N. Srinivasan, an expert in palm manuscripts and Harikatha  at 3.PM on 6th Oct, 2011 at the Library Hall of CTMR 24, Anna Nagar Main Road, Puzhuthiwakkam, Chennai- 91. Pandit N.Srinivasan has  rich experience in U.Ve. Saa library and Sarawati Mahal Library of  Tanjavur and he has also contributed for creation of  catalogue of Palm manuscripts in Siddha Central Research Institute and other Mutt libraries and Private Collections.

CTMR Invites all for the event. Please confirm participation by mail to ttn64@sify.com or call/sms to Dr.T.Thirunarayanan 9444018158

Tamil Nadu to launch IGNOU's 'Grama Vaidya' certification to traditional healers

Pharmabiz News

Peethaambaran Kunnathoor, Chennai
Monday, September 19, 2011, 08:00 Hrs  [IST]

Tamil Nadu will soon become the first state in the country to launch the national scheme to be implemented by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) for Accreditation and Certification of Prior Learning (ACPL) of the country’s traditional health practitioners. The University will honour the traditional healers with an award, ‘Grama Vaidya’.

ACPL is a scheme to certify and award the country’s genuine traditional healers who have been practising traditional system for years in the villages applying indigenous method supported by herbal drugs. The age old practitioners in the families who were trained by their ancestors and continue with the traditional knowledge of practice now are targeted for honouring the award ‘Grama Vaidya’. University is planning to introduce the project as a pilot study in 8 states in India including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Orissa, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.

The project takes its course for the first time in Tamil Nadu and the Chennai based Centre for Traditional Medicines and Research (CTMR) has been identified as the coordinator for implementing the scheme in the state.

While briefing about the programme, Dr T Thirunarayanan, the Secretary of CTMR, said initially the scheme is implemented in Vellore district and multi-stakeholders consultative meeting was held in Chennai recently to discuss the subject of Minimum Standards of Competency (MSC) to be developed for implementation of the IGNOU scheme. He said advertisements have been given in vernacular news papers in the district inviting applications from traditional healers to select for the award. Out of the 50 applications the Centre received, 23 have been rejected due to bogus claims and mismatch between age and experience. Functional literacy and 10 years experience are the minimum qualifications required for the selection of the award, he said.

The University introduces the ACPL programme with a well planned scheme, for that it entered into an agreement with Quality Council of India (QCI) and Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions (FRLTH). The scheme of the IGNOU is financed by the Department of Ayush.

Dr Thirunarayanan said the standards to test the traditional treatment methods of the healers will be set by FRLTH and QCI will prepare the parameters required for recognition. CTMR will give training to develop minimum standards and a five member special medical team consisting institutionally trained physicians will assess the standards of the applicants through several methods including oral tests. The healers will have to demonstrate their practical skills before the panel.

The ACPL will include five traditional methods of treatment like jaundice treatment, performing midwifery, fixing bone fractures, treating skin diseases and snake bites.

According to CTMR this combined effort of IGNOU and Ayush department may be considered as an official recognition for the services rendered by traditional health practitioners in rural areas, and so far there is no national or state programme to include them into the ambit of community health workers.

When asked whether the qualified and registered ISM practitioners will object the ACPL awards by IGNOU as the scheme is likely to block their opportunities in the rural areas, Dr Thirunarayanan responded that there was shortage of qualified ISM doctors in the state to fulfill the needs of the villagers.

    

Certification of Traditional Healers in Vellore district under scheme for Accreditation and Certification of Prior Learning

Village based Traditional Health Practitioners play a vital role in meeting the health care needs of especially rural populations in India. Presently, they provide health services for deliveries, bone fractures, dislocations and sprains, common ailments with herbal remedies, poisonous bites, jaundice, skin diseases, burns and so on, solely based on their social legitimacy. As of now, while there is a clear AYUSH Policy statement of Government of India (2002) which provides official recognition to the existence of Traditional Health Practitioners, there is no national or state programme that involves them in the role of Community Health Workers. This neglect inhibits the continuity of the great tradition of village based healers of our country.

In order to accredit and certify the genuine Traditional Health Practitioners, a national level pilot Scheme for Accreditation and Certification of Prior Learning (ACPL) of Grama Vaidyas is being launched by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in 8 selected states of India namely: Arunachal Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Orissa, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. In Tamilnadu Vellore district is choosen for the project.

The above mentioned ACPL scheme is financially supported by the Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. It is being initially implemented in selected streams of folk healing like mid wifery, bone setting, management of primary healthcare conditions with herbal remedies, etc in collaboration with Quality Council of India, New Delhi, Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine (IAIM), Bangalore and reputed Nodal AYUSH Institutions and NGOs in the selected states and districts. Centre for Traditional Medicine and Research , Chennai (CTMR) is the nodal agency for the pilot project in Tamilnadu.

The  Accreditation and Certification scheme does not involve conventional written examination to be taken by the Traditional Health Practitioners. Instead, it would be done through oral interviews and practical demonstrations of their skills. The evaluation panel would consist of reputed and experienced Traditional Health Practitioners from the respective States, AYUSH Physicians and Community Health Activists.

The village based Traditional Health Practitioners having more than 10 years of experience from vellore district and who are interested to obtain Accreditation were informed through press releases, Advertisement and through healers Association.

The applications received in the prescribed format along with necessary certification from Village panchayat and fulfilling the ten years experience criteria will be short listed for further evaluation by the evaluators. The date of evaluation for the first set of healers practicing jaundice healing is fixed for 25th Sept, 2011.

As Self assesment of fulfilling Minimum standards was facilitated by CTMR on 14th Sept.

An Evaluators board has been constituted for the purpose. The reputed and experienced Traditional Health Practitioners for specific areas like Jaundice and AYUSH physicians constitute this board. This board will be different from the collegiums and subject experts team which has finalized a Minimum Standards of Skills Document.

The Board of evaluators will assess the Prior learning skill of the healers by way of interview on the specific date using the Minimum Standards of Skills Document at a common place where the healer would be in a position to demonstrate the clinical skills like identification of the condition and suggest appropriate treatment methods as well as identification of herbs/ country drugs and demonstrate the preparation, administration of medicine. Based on the specific condition which is normally treated in the house of the healer/patient the evaluation will be done at respective site.The Evaluation board will recommend to the collegium the names of healers who fulfill the minimum standards requirement which will be forwarded to CTKS-IGNOU for certification.

There is lot of enthusiasm among healers for the scheme and this will pave way for identifying genuine healers of traditional knowledge.

Is Primary health care possible through Siddha

On an informal discussion a senior Indian Administrative Service officer with firm conviction of the efficacy of Traditional Medicine asked me if it is possible to provide primary healthcare to all residents of a settlement with Indian Traditional Medical systems. Earlier having applied for a project to Dept. of AYUSH under Public Health Initiative scheme to implement Primary Health Care through ISM for migrant workers and displaced community and the project still bending for a long time in spite of being considered as a good initiative, I replied in the affirmative. She mentioned that under corporate Social Responsibility of the Public Sector Finance Organization she heads CTMR will be given a grant towards the cost of medicines and for promoting Home Herbal Garden, but after an year it’s the responsibility of the organization to make the people understand and agree that ISM approach will reduce frequency of illness and reduce health expenditure. CTMR grabbed the opportunity and wrote a proposal and submitted to Tamilnadu Industrial Investment Corporation. The Chairperson Mrs. Sheela Rani chungath invited CTMR to make a small presentation about the project to the Board of Directors of TIIC. The board readily agreed and on 20th August, exactly a year ago the grant was given on the inaugural day of the Siddha Health Centre in Chinnandikuppam a fisherman colony.

Once it was decided to launch such a programme next started a discussion among the volunteers of CTMR on the location. It emerged that the Centre should be in a settlement of a marginalized society not very far from the city so that it could be closely monitored as it is a pilot project on Public health through Siddha. With prior experience in interaction with fisherman community and their secluded lifestyle from mainstream due to their vocation, basically depended on the coast line and odd working hours and the recent losses they suffered in TSUNAMI, it was decided to start in Neelangarai, Vetuvankeni area. The Posh neighborhood of the rich was little frightening, whether we will be able to get a place. Then came the memory of the Place for health centre available with Catalyst trust at Chinnandikuppam. A Telephonic call was made to its chairman and consumer rights activist Mr.Desikan. He readily agreed to provide the place but also cautioned that the Siddha doctor from Kelambakkam PHC was supposed to visit twice a week but it did not materialize. He also said an allopathy doctor visits every day for a short while and the community participation is not very encouraging. The nearest Siddha facility was Govt dispensary at Adayar – 15 kms away or Kelambakkam 22 kms away. For Hospitalization it is 30 kms to National Institute of Siddha or Anna Hospital, Anna Nagar.

We decided to do a survey of the colony on the awareness about Siddha or any other traditional medicine and utility pattern of health care. Dr.Murugesan, Dean of NIS and Dr. M.Meenakshisundaram readily agreed to send their PG students and internees. CTMR physicians along with the 15 carried out a door to door survey and found the awareness level to be 10% and actual utilization at 3%. This worried us more as if this is the situation where two major hospitals and four teaching institutes exists what would be the status in rural Tamilnadu.
We decided to Organize the Inaugural meeting as an awareness meet and Mrs. Sheela Rani in her conventional way made a very impressive passionate speech in a language of the common man connecting with them. There were more men from the community with little participation from women. So we thought women may not avail this facility. But once we run the centre we realized that men were reluctant as they felt Siddha medicines will not go well with non-vegetarian diet and their alcohol consumption. More interactions in informal group discussion were held to dispel the fears and it was explained to them Non-veg in general is not a barrier to Siddha medicine and alcoholism is any way bad irrespective of the system and in fact taking hepatoprotective drugs of Siddha will reduce the burden of alcohol intake for the vital organs.

Then the procurement of medicines. A list of medicines were drawn based on the essential drug list of the Dept. of AYUSH and due consideration was given to select cost effective alternatives so that the project is sustainable. Due care was taken to include herbal medicines and essential herbo-mineral drugs so that adverse drug reactions were minimal. IMPCOPS procedure of providing institutional membership was delayed but their dealer agreed to provide medicines at same cost and promised just in time delivery. It was a different story that IMPCOPs revised the price of certain key drugs like Thiriphala churanam by 40 % and therefore quantum of drugs that could be purchased with the grant came down for the same value.

Our volunteers went home to home to create awareness about the system and the services rendered by the centre. Dr. Priyadarshini and Dr. S. Rajkumar were the regular doctors and Dr. Padmapriya visited initially every friday till Dr. Priyadarshini got complete understanding. Dr. Priyadarshni had to leave after eight months due to personal reasons and Dr. Indhumathi joined the team. I must acknowledge each of them meticulously maintained medical records and in fact Dr. Rajkumar underwent training on software for AYUSH medical record keeping and analysis.
Then we also extended the services to velankadu a village between Thiruporur and Thirukalukundram , a displaced persons belonging to dalit community settlement colony as many of them had no regular job or land holding and a poor health history. This was done every fortnight and an educated person in the village was trained and given a simple kit of siddha medicine for fever, diarrhea, common cold and scorpion sting.

Analyzing the data after one year, All members of the village are now aware of siddha and simple plant remedies. Now they try steam inhalation, fomentation, use of adhatoda decoction made at home fenugreek and asafetida for abdominal spasm. About 90 % have a health card of our centre and for majority of them Siddha Health centre has become the first contact for condition like fever, head ache, common cold, sinusitis, Acid-peptic diseases, diarrhea, muscular sprain, anemia, post-natal care, scabies wounds in children and many other conditions. About 40% have become well after one or two visit while 20 % keep coming for routine check of Blood pressure etc and only 10% have dropped out. Though minimal level of cleansing therapies and external therapies are being carried out in the centre further infrastructure is required. In all now 1100 patients (Absolute number and not number of patient visits) are availing the facility. The Cost of medicine dispensed so far is close to Rs 1,50,000 which works out to Rs 137 ( Rupees One hundred and thirty seven per patient per annum) including conditions like anemeia for which at least a month treatment is required.

Since on every visit the medicines required for treating the episode is given – say for 3 -7 days depending on the condition and for conditions like NIDDM one month medicine is given the patients are not forced to frequent the clinic which prevents loss of absenteeism from their vocation. More so the time of the centre so flexible as the large chunck come to the centre between 12 Noon to 2.30 P.M after completing sale of fish in the market.
Learning’s

• 
  
  Siddha could definitely be a solution to fulfill primary health care needs of a community.


• 
  
  Cost of Treatment with Siddha is certainly low with judicious choice of drugs combined with proper adoption of dos and don’ts


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  Maintaining a proper medical record is possible when patients numbers are limited to 30/day per doctor- though during initial period this may be difficult- a volunteer support may be required.


• 
  
  There is a need to make Siddha available in every place which will definitely improve utilization


• 
  
  News about the centre in English newspaper though has created awareness among others but has not helped reach the target population but has generated interest among others to think of supporting such interventions
  


• 
  
  Excepting on Sundays and National holidays this centre was never closed as some other physician was deputed
  CTMR team is grateful Mrs Sheela Rani Chungath for the motivation and TIIC and others for the support. The informal leaders of the community and volunteers who took part in the health survey.
  

Speech delivered by Mr.V.Prabakaran I.F.S during Inaguration of Siddha Health Centre

Sri. P. Arulmudi, Chairman, AMR Trust
Dr. M. Padma Sorna Subramanian,Research officer, Siddha Medicinal Plant Garden, Mettur,
Dr. R. Sudha, Ph.D
Dr.K.Thirumagal, Medical officer, AMR Trust and
Dr.T.Thirunarayanan, Secretary, CTMR, Chennai

Esteemed students and Staff of Saradha Niketan College

This is indeed my privilege to be amongst you on this auspicious occasion (15th August 2011) for Inagurating Siddha Health centre

Siddha System of Medicine also known as Siddha Vaidyam in India is the oldest among the Indian Medical Systems namely Ayurveda, Siddha & Unani. & it is also the oldest medical system in the world. Of late people in the West and also east are turning to nature for their health requirements. Hence the demand for natural health remedies and herbal health remedies are increasing day by day and Indian medical systems like Siddha and Ayurveda are gaining popularity all over the world.

The Siddha System of Medicine is an integrated part of Indian medical System contributing much to the health care of human beings, due to its richness and simplicity. Siddha System, propounded by the Siddhars is a vast and unique system which defines health as a Perfect State of Physical, Psychological, Social and Spiritual Well Being of an individual. Such being the importance of Siddha system of medicine, I am, indeed very happy to be associated in opening of this Siddha clinic at Saradha Niketan College for women at Kanavaipudur.

How many of are in knowledge of a medicinal plants development area or the MPDA, established by Forest Department in lokur forests? It is a real coincidence that I was associated in its establishment and now, I here am, involved in inaugurating this Siddha clinic.

Nearly a decade ago, when Dr. Thirunarayanan, started this Centre for Traditional Medicine & Research (CTMR), as a ‘non- profit organisation, I did not imagine it will grow in its stature to this size. I congratulate him and his team for this achievement.

CTMR, apart from running similar siddha clinics and establishing herbal gardens; is also documenting Traditional Knowledge of healing, digitizing Siddha Palm manuscripts, Conducts training in traditional medicine and Publishes simple books.

I learn that, this Siddha clinic is the result of CTMR’s proposed public health intervention through the Project Siddha.
The project Siddha has the following objectives;

Ø To provide preventive and curative health care to cover a population of about 20000. To make available the safe and effective Siddha drugs
Ø To create awareness about good traditional health practices
Ø To utilize the locally available plant resources for better health care and thereby reduce health expenditure. Money saved is money earned!
Ø To give supportive role to the existing public health delivery system.

I wish them success in their endevour.

I will be failing in my duty, if I do not acknowledge the contributions of Thiru . P. Arulmudi, the founder Chairman of AMR charitable Trust.
Thiru. P. Arulmudi and his family have established this Trust with a noble objective of providing healthcare and education to the under privileged. I take this opportunity to congratulate him and his generous family members.

It is also my duty to inform you all, that AMR trust is providing complete financial support for providing medicine, salary to the Siddha doctor and other medical instruments needed for this Siddha clinic.

This clinic will focus on the healthcare of rural young women – particularly on Nutrition related diseases and Gynecological problems.

In conclusion, I once again congratulate the CTMR and AMR trust for this noble venture for providing a healthy educated mind in a healthy body.
Thank you