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SCALING LIFE: IAD’s Integrated Medicine for Effective Treatment of Lymphatic Filariasis Morbidity and Disability in India Funded by the Gates Foundation India accounts for over 40% of the global burden of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that severely impacts rural communities. The Indian National Filaria Control Programme was launched in 1955. Subsequent policy prioritised disease elimination through Mass Drug Administration (MDA) and vector control. However, despite the Government’s Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) services through the provision of free hygiene kits (bucket and soap), advanced filarial lymphedema (ISL stage 2 & 3; WHO grade 4-7) patients continue to struggle with incapacitating disability because of poor treatment options. The Institute of Applied Dermatology (IAD) in Kasaragod, Kerala, has pioneered a globally acclaimed, integrated medicine approach that combines modern medicine with Ayurveda and Yoga, following...

The 11th National Symposium on Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine for Lymphatic Filariasis and Other Chronic Dermatoses was held by the Institute of Applied Dermatology, Kasargod at Begusarai, Bihar. Prof. Terence J Ryan Emeritus Professor of Dermatology, Oxford University UK, Prof. Gail Todd Dermatology Department University of Cape Town South Africa, Smt. Alankrita Pandey, Executive Director, Rajya AYUSH Samiti, Bihar and other national and international clinical experts participated in the program. As a part of the patient house visit, the team met many patients affected by lymphatic filariasis in various villages around Patna. The house visit program was led by IAD Mentor Prof. Terrence j Ryan and Director Dr SR Narahari. Dr Suresh joint advisor ministry of Aysh, director (Ayu) and Dr KS Prasanna Sr. Dermatology consultant of IAD also joined the program. The team briefed the villagers on the steps for preventing filariasis and treatment procedures to be followed. Treatment kits we...