Ayurveda, the indigenous medical system of India has integrated the concept of interconnectedness into its understanding of health and disease. It considers the human body as an indivisible whole with a network of interrelated functions, mind and consciousness, wherein a disturbance in one part will have repercussions in other parts as well. The key to health is for these factors to maintain stability since disease is seen as a perturbation in this network. Ayurvedic treatment aims not only at removal of disease, but also at the restoration of the equilibrium of bodily functions.

The societal impact of ill health is on the rise, with some diseases affecting not only the health of individuals but also that of a nation’s economy with their increasing healthcare costs. There is a growing consensus that the current system of healthcare should shift from its ‘technology, doctor and hospital-oriented’ approach to a more patient-oriented system. It is also being realised by a population weary of synthetic chemicals that conventional western medicine alone cannot handle the mushrooming of diseases, underscoring the need to widen the scope of healthcare to include alternative medical systems. All these inevitably bring into focus the patient-centric traditional healthcare medical systems like Ayurveda. The growing interest in Ayurveda is not only because it is free of synthetic chemicals, but also because of its integrated approach to health and disease.

Ayurveda, offers several methods to stay healthy and prevent diseases. This is in contrast to western medicine, where patients are completely dependent on doctors for treatment. In Ayurveda, people are taught to be responsible for their own health, rather than to consider themselves victims of disease factors beyond their control. Ayurveda thus, is a complete healthcare system going beyond treating disease. Ayurvedic principles and methods of healthy living can easily be incorporated into people’s day to day lives, food habits and activities. This gives a whole new perspective on healthcare where one does not wait for people to contract a disease. The primary purpose of healthcare should be to keep people healthy and minimise the onset of disease.

As the world faces increasing chronic, psychosomatic stress and lifestyle-related disorders, medical scientists are beginning to realise the importance of an integrated approach to health and healthcare.

Here are the examples of diseases causing complications and damaging the vital organs and ultimately leading to death, realising the importance of an integrated approach to health and healthcare.

Shri Arun Jaitley:

Started with Diabetes mellitus and excessive weight gain.

Had barriatric surgery for weight reduction (September, 2014)...

Lead to leak in after surgery ....

Lead to septicaemia ...

Lead to renal kidney shut down led to kidney transplant (14th May 2018),

Lead to immunosuppressive drugs,

Lead to cytomegalovirus infections,

Lead to soft tissue sarcoma,

Lead to metastasis all over body by lymphatic and blood streams.

Lead to Loss of life.

..........

"For the want of a nail the shoe was lost,

For the want of a shoe the horse was lost,

For the want of a horse the rider was lost,

For the want of a rider the battle was lost,

For the want of a battle the kingdom was lost,

And all for the want of a horseshoe-nail".

said by Benjamin Franklin

Similar story of Smt. Sushma Swaraj Diabetes, renal failure, transplant, myocardial infarction.

Two precious gems of the country lost to complications of diabetes.

A lesson for all of us, to take diabetes seriously from the start to prevent complications as the best of healthcare is not going to help once the cascade of complications sets in.

Ayurveda, with its holistic perspective and integrated approach to health and disease, emphasis on diet and lifestyle activities, and time-tested clinical practices can play an important role in healthcare, especially in India. The experience and expertise accumulated in Ayurveda over several millennia should reach the masses.

Ayurveda over several millennia should be used to benefit suffering people.