{"id":505,"date":"2023-11-10T14:31:03","date_gmt":"2023-11-10T13:31:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.medi-for-help.com\/en\/?p=505"},"modified":"2024-01-15T11:47:27","modified_gmt":"2024-01-15T10:47:27","slug":"medi-for-help-visits-the-iad-help-for-people-with-lymphatic-deseases-in-indien","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.medi-for-help.com\/en\/news-and-updates\/medi-for-help-visits-the-iad-help-for-people-with-lymphatic-deseases-in-indien\/","title":{"rendered":"medi for help visits the IAD – Help for people with lymphatic diseases in India"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Daniela Weiherm\u00fcller from medi for help visited the Institute of Applied Dermatology (IAD) in July 2023 to find out more about the local situation. The Indian institute provides free treatment for very severe cases of lymphatic conditions. medi for help has been supporting the IAD<\/a> since 2021 in line with our principle of “helping people to help themselves”.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The clinic in Kasaragod on the south-west coast of India specialises in treating patients with lymphoedema and lymphatic filariasis.1<\/sup> This is caused by parasitic threadworms (“filariae”) that attack the lymphatic system and connective tissue. Although around 120 million people worldwide are affected by lymphatic filariasis, it is one of the give most “Neglected Tropical Diseases”, accounting for around 90 per cent of these conditions.2<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Lymphatic filariasis is a poverty-related disease: serious cases of the disease occur predominantly in the poorer areas of northern India, making it almost impossible for medical staff in these regions to cope. The institute is therefore the last chance of recovery for many people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Poor patients can receive treatment at the institute free of charge \u2013 but the clinic is desperately reliant on donations of money and materials. The support of medi for help was the only way it was possible to keep the highly qualified staff and continue running the clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic,” explained Carsten Stauf from medi for help. High material costs continue to be a major challenge for the IAD.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Integrative medicine: progressive approaches at the IAD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The IAD specialises in difficult-to-treat skin diseases and lymphatic conditions. Dr S. R. Narahari is Chairman and Director of the IAD and one of the world’s leading lymphoedema experts. His research in lymphology, which combines Ayurveda and yoga treatments with biomedicine, is considered pioneering work in integrative medicine. He was also recently invited to the Traditional Medicine Global Summit of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to speak on the subject of “integrative medicine as a public health measure for lymphoedema caused by filariae”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The specialists at the institute follow this holistic therapeutic approach: they combine (integrate) traditional Indian medicine, such as Ayurveda and yoga, with nutrition and modern medicine. They also strive to raise awareness of health in the local community. The team at the IAD also provides training for family members on how to self-treat patients with lymphoedema and chronic wounds at home \u2013 using low-cost and locally available materials. The Institute works in a resource-poor environment, disconnected from the academic world and extensive modern medical facilities. Both the institute and medi benefit from this exchange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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