Amrita Sparsham Ayurveda Cancer Clinic, an initiative of Amrita Ayurveda Hospital and the Amrita Centre for Advanced Research in Ayurveda (ACARA), Amritapuri, was inaugurated on March 29, 2017, at Amrita School of Ayuveda. The clinic is supported by Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, and will offer counselling and treatment to cancer patients in conditions where Ayurvedic treatment has been found to be beneficial. After preliminary screening, patients will be reviewed by a panel of expert Ayurvedic physicians and Ayurvedic treatment will be prescribed if feasible. This speciality clinic will function on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2 pm to 4 pm.
Swami Jnanamritananda Puri lit the lamp marking the beginning of the clinic. Dr. Narayanan Bhattathiri, Former Cancer Specialist at Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, unveiled the logo of the clinic.
Dr. Vasudevan Nampoothiri, Principal, Amrita School of Ayurveda, delivered the Welcome Addresss. Dr. P. Ram Manohar, Research Director, ACARA, gave an introduction to Amrita Sparsham. Swami Jnanamritananda Puri blessed the clinic and emphasized on the need to promote concept of positive health. Dr. Narayanan Bhattathiri delivered the Chief Guest address and pointed out that about 50% of cancers can only be given palliative care.
Dr. Shantikumar V. Nair, Dean of Research, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and Director of Amrita Center for Nanosciences, Kochi, in his felicitation stressed the importance of integrative approach to management of cancer. Mr. VIjayan Menon, pointed out that cancer represents the selfishness of one single cell that leads to complete destruction of the body. Dr. Vijith Sasidharan highlighted the importance of holistic approach to management of cancer. Dr. Sasikumar gave the concluding remarks. The function concluded with the national anthem.
Earlier, in a press release, Br. Shankara Chaithanya, Medical Director of Amrita Ayurveda Hospital, expressed his concern about the increasing prevalence of cancer in India and especially Kerala. He pointed out that this venture is inspired by the endless possibilities of offering better care for cancer patients by integrating Ayurveda with conventional allopathic treatment. From clinical experience and exploratory research studies, it has been found that Ayurveda can help in primary and secondary prevention of cancer, offer supportive care during chemotherapy and radiation, rehabilitation and improve quality of life in terminal stage of the illness.
