In a major move to take the world’s most successful integrative medicine for Lymphatic Filariasis and Lymphedema to low-income patients across the globe, Institute of Applied Dermatology (IAD) in Kerala, India has decided to partner with the international charity organisation International Lymphedema Framework (ILF) in the United Kingdom.
International Lymphedema Framework Chair Prof Dr Christine Moffatt, who was on a visit to IAD’s treatment centres in India recently, held a meeting with IAD founder-director Dr S R Narahari to finalise the framework for collaboration to offer surgery-free integrative treatment to thousands of lymphatic filariasis and lymphedema patients living in low-income countries around the world.
ILF has decided to partner with IAD after reviewing the success of integrative medicine, which was developed by IAD to treat patients suffering from the most debilitating and neglected tropical disease, Lymphatic Filariasis. Prof Moffatt visited IAD’s treatment centres in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Kerala, where hundreds of patients have returned to normal life after successfully undergoing treatment in the last year.
“We have decided to establish an Indian unit of ILF called ‘India-IAD-ILF Framework’ to develop a slew of projects for the benefit of patients across the globe. The integrative medicine developed by IAD after years of scientific research is the only available treatment in the world that can effectively treat Lymphatic Filariasis and Lymphedema without surgery,” said Prof Moffatt.
The integrative medicine, which is a unique blend of modern medicine with Ayurveda, yoga, and diet, has been delivering tremendous results for patients over the last 25 years. “A solid framework and an action plan are the need of the hour to take this scientifically proven treatment to the doorsteps of patients in other countries. IAD will work in coordination with ILF for the benefit of low-income patients who have been silently suffering from this most neglected tropical disease,” said IAD founder-director Dr S R Narahari.
As part of the collaboration, both IAD and ILF will undertake an epidemiological study called LIMRPINT to define the types of lymphedemas, review the measures implemented so far to prevent the spread of Lymphatic Filariasis, and define compression therapy standards for India.
“We will also be rolling out a hybrid course with international standards to train more qualified medical practitioners/nurses and therapists in integrative medicine. A mentorship program will be introduced for young medical professionals in low-income countries to provide them training on integrative medicine so that they can offer treatment to patients in their respective areas,” Dr Narahari added.
