IAD: A ray of hope to Lymphatic Filariasis patients

IAD: A ray of hope to Lymphatic Filariasis patients
 Institute of Applied Dermatology (IAD) located at Kasargodu in Kerala is a prominent world renowned lymphoedema and integrative medicine skin hospital sought after by patients from across the country and South East Asian countries. The only such hospital in the whole of country provides relief and solutions by integrating Ayurveda,Homeopathy treatments,Yoga and many other traditional methods combined effectively with modern medicine.
Thanks to more than two decades of Indo-European research and experience apart from treating more than 10,000 patients under its roof, IAD has blossomed from a miniscule clinic to the status of nation’s primary dermatology hospital. In fact the medical institute offers integrative treatment to various forms of skin related ailments like, lymphatic filariasis, vitiligo, psoriasis, lichen planus, wound care, wart and hemiplegia.

IAD believes in clinical observation (investigation) as a prelude to fundamental research and accordingly treats the patients based on such clinical observation. It is also jointly undertaking a study of skin behavior, development and treatment in collaboration with the Kasargodu Central University.
Lymphatic Filariasis also commonly called as Elephantiasis or ‘Elephant Foot’ disease is reported to be prevailing in around 80 countries while it has been completely eliminated in Japan during the early 50’s.Later Odisha was also declared free from this ailment.
There could be around 2.6 crore people affected from Lymphatic Filariasis in 20 states particularly coastal states and Bihar. But officially this figure has been drastically reduced to 70 lakhs according to medical sources.

The apex court had taken strong objections when the government had proclaimed that Leprosy has been completely eradicated from the country. But governmental agencies continue to indulge into dubious claims even in the case of Lymphatic Filariasis also.
It is a disfiguring, disabling disease usually acquired in childhood but showing no symptoms or hinting any indications about the possibility of suffering from the dangerous ailment. But in spite of absence of symptoms the lymphatic system is damaged and this stage can get prolonged for several years.
Mosquitoes are the culprits for infected persons sustaining transmission of the disease as a result of which the long term consequences are painful due to swollen limbs. The after effects become horrible to such extent that even the daily activities become a struggle due to frequent infections.
Hydrocele in males is found to be common in endemic areas. Apart from infection from the mosquitoes Lymphoedema can also be caused due to surgery, trauma or treatment for cancer. According to World Health Organization (WHO) Lymphatic Filariasis is the second leading cause of disability in the world. But unfortunately due to inadequate research in the field treatment options are limited!

However IAD has independently developed a self-care, home-based, patient-led, ethical and evidence based therapy. It’s a combination of Ayurveda,Homeopathy,Yoga and Allopathy on a patho-physiological basis derived from bio-medicine.
This method of treatment envisaged and developed by IAD with support from the Government of Kerala and Prof Terence Ryan, Department of Dermatology, Oxford Medical School,UK. Interestingly WHO has been recommending this drug across the globe.
Prof Terence Ryan has dedicated his life to research and treatment of skin diseases and his contribution to public health is immense. But his belief of clubbing modern medicine systems with that of the traditional one’s took him round the world.
In fact Prof Terence Ryan has been adviser to IAD since long and thanks to his mentoring IAD has been able to excel in research and formulate an integrative treatment protocol tested over a period of time and found effective as well.

He has also been instrumental in guiding the IAD doctors to publish over 30 international research papers on integrative treatment of hymphedema. Apart from such generous help he has been magnanimous enough to part with his valuable library to the IAD which by itself is a great treasure to make use of.
Renowned Dermatologist Dr SR Narahari, an ‘intense clinician and patient-oriented researcher’ has been practicing at Kasargodu since 1990.He is the pro-bono director of the not for profit integrative medical organization, IAD which he founded along with nine other inter-disciplinary senior medical professionals.
Thanks to the untiring efforts of Dr SR Narahari and his team of dedicated band of doctors, in 2010, a WHO publication discussing integrative medicine named IAD as a lead lymphology clinic in the world.
In 2014, Government of Kerala established its ‘Centre for Integrated Medicine and Public Health’ in IAD under public-private partnership for furthering activities of R&D and other field works related to community dermatology.
Both Dr SR Narahari and his dermatologist wife Dr KS Prasanna also have their own popular private clinic in the town. But more than half of their time is spent in attending to needy patients at the IAD.

Dr SR Narahari’s whole family belongs to the medical fraternity as both his sons are also upcoming doctors. The eldest son is studying post graduate degree course in internal medicine while the younger one is also a medical student.
Both Dr SR Narahari and Dr KS Prasanna don’t receive any kind of financial benefit for their services in IAD. But on the other hand they make all out efforts to ensure that at least a quarter of the patients admitted to IAD have sponsors for their treatment for free.
Recently a Bengaluru based private organization felicitated the doctor couple for their yeoman services to mankind. Such public appreciation and bestowing of awards keep happening now and then to the doctor couple committed to services expecting nothing.
But the big worry haunting them is the funds crunch for conducting research trials.IAD has a big data of 10,000 Filariasis patients which they are planning to put on the server soon. Nowhere else across the world you can find such huge information on the traumatic ailment.
This data needs to be analyzed in the larger interests of the patients but non availability of required financial aid has also become a major bottleneck for sphere heading the R&D activities.
Red tapism for real research is the biggest challenge while plagiarism is another major hazard. Added to such state of affairs, there’s no recognition for talent in this country, laments Dr SR Narahari.But there’s also a paradoxical plight prevailing in the country as whatever WHO proclaims is considered to be a gospel. And on the other hand any drug or treatment with the use of traditional and cost effective medicine is thwarted by the Pharmaceutical industry!

 -Manohar Yadavatti