Uttarakhand establishes the first naturopathy hospitals, paving the way for wellness tourism
Uttarakhand : is getting ready to open its first naturopathy hospitals, which will be modeled like upscale resorts and treat patients with natural remedies rather than prescription drugs. This is a big step towards increasing wellness tourism.
While the search is still on in Bageshwar, the state’s AYUSH Department has already found land for similar facilities in the districts of Champawat and Pithoragarh.
The project is part of the first phase to integrate AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) practices with the state’s growing tourist industry, according to official sources. In Koli Dhek (Champawat) and Balwakot (Pithoragarh), land portions have been completed.
The State Minister for Medical Education and Health, Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, gave TNIE confirmation of the development.
“The AYUSH Department is formulating a proposal to open these Naturopathy Hospitals,” said Dr. Rawat. “We will shortly submit a request for funding to the Central Government. The Center is supposed to provide these institutions the money they need in accordance with the AYUSH Mission.
Instead of only treating symptoms, naturopathy aims to promote holistic health and cure the underlying cause of sickness. The therapies make use of natural techniques including acupuncture, yoga, massage, hydrotherapy (water therapy), herbal medications, and specific diets.
Comprehensive services including food and nutrition counseling, mud treatment, sun therapy, fitness programs, and mind-body therapies would be provided by the planned hospitals.
The objective for these institutions was further explained by AYUSH Department Secretary Deependra Chaudhary.
“The proposal for the first phase involves establishing these hospitals in three districts,” said Chaudhary. “These establishments will be designed like resorts, providing first-rate lodging in addition to natural healing therapies. This will greatly encourage wellness travel around the state.
This development comes after a key change in strategy. With the goal of creating one such village in each district of Uttarakhand, the Central Government introduced the “AYUSH Village” program last year under the AYUSH Mission.
Departmental representatives, however, claim that the Center has now abandoned the “AYUSH Village” program. The Central Government will now provide funding expressly for the establishment of naturopathy hospitals in its stead. The comprehensive proposal for this new financing source is now being prepared by the state agency.