Healing traditions in Nepal

Nepal is a small developing mountainous country in South Asia. A variety of ethnic, cultural and religious groups inhabit Nepal. Traditional healthcare providers can be divided into medical providers and faith healers. Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine is based on the tridosha theory of disease. Ayurvedic medicine is inherent to Nepal and was strongly encouraged in the medieval period of her history. Ayurvedic hospitals, dispensaries and medicine manufacturing units were established. Tibetan medical practitioners are called ‘amchis’ and the medical system is commonly practiced in the mountainous regions of Nepal. Schools for ‘gso ba rig pa’ have been established in Nepal. Nepalese faith healers are termed ‘dhami-jhankris’ and act as mediators between the material world and the world of spirits. Western allopathic medicine was introduced in the medieval period and recently many hospitals and dispensaries of allopathic medicine have been established. The Institute of Medicine, the first allopathic medical college was established in 1972. Recently many medical colleges have been established in the private sector. Complementary and alternative medicine is widely practiced in Nepal. Proximity, affordability, easy availability, family pressure and favorable community opinion are common reasons for preferences. Integration of complementary medicine into the undergraduate allopathic medical curriculum can be considered. Courses on integrative medicine for undergraduate medical students should be debated. Students of complementary medical practices should also have an idea about allopathic medicine.