By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: A change in the lifestyle of people has given rise to a number of deadliest diseases which has found its way into the society and medicine is just an aid to cure these diseases not to completely wipe them off, a professor at the SJN Homeopathic Medical College, Guwahati Dr NK Mishra said.
“Change in the lifestyle of the people has paved the way for the emergence of numeral diseases which are never heard before”, Mishra said.
Speaking to this scribe on the sideline of a two-day orientation programme on Propaganda of AYUSH System under IEC at organized by the Directorate of Health services (MI) at Health Complex here on Thursday, Dr Mishra said “Disease is like a broken law of nature and the doctor is a pleader in the court of nature”.
Stressing on this point, Dr Mishra said when nature is interrupted, there are possibilities for numerous diseases to be born and this is where the doctors come and direct ways and means to cure them.
Pointing to medicinal plants as an aid, Mishra said Meghalaya is blessed with abundant natural resources including rich varieties of plants which could be used as medicines to cue many ailments.
When asked about the difference between a medical doctor and a traditional practitioner, Dr Mishra said there is hardly any difference except doctors provides medicines which are being scientifically proven unlike medicinal plants.
“But medicines subscribe by medical doctors usually have side effects while medicinal plants have minimum side effects”, Dr Mishra said while adding that there are certain ailments which requires medical attention while some requires nature’s attention.
Meanwhile, Associate Prof at Ayurvedic College, Guwahati Dr Bishnu Prasad Sarma expressed the need for detailed documentation of the available medicinal plants in Meghalaya at the same time, a requirement for these medicinal plants to be scientifically proven.
He also stated that there a need to preserve the forest areas, plants, herbs and other natural resources while spreading awareness on the importance of the environment. “More conference and seminars are required to educate the people of the dangers of unhealthy lifestyles and others means”, Dr Sarma said.
Earlier, speaking as the chief guest on the occasion, the Director of DHS (MI) Dr AC Hazarika said there is a lack of awareness in the utilization of AYUSH system in the state which is important for maintaining a healthy form of lifestyle. “It is important to bring people to the AYUSH system”, he adding that this system will help doctors to work in the rural areas.
The other dignitaries present included Director of DHS (MCH) Dr CB Sangma, resource persons from the department of AYUSH, Government of India besides others.