Unani hospitals dying a silent death

They may head into oblivion due to severe shortage of medicines

• Introduced by Arabs and Persians in the 12th century, Unani medicine is made with herbs, minerals and rare products found in nature
• Diseases cured by Unani medicine include paralysis, facial paralysis, arthritis, renal stone, jaundice, gynecological disorders such as disturbed uterus bleeding, polycystic ovarian disease, diabetics and neurological disorders

Though there are enough people loyal to the Unani system of medicine in the city, lack of basic medicines is forcing even the most faithful to think twice over its use. Until 2014, the government Unani Hospital at Charminar had at least 1,200 outpatients per day, but the number has fallen down to as low as 600 per day.

According to government guidelines, Rs 20 per patient is the allotment per sitting, but the budget sanctioned allows just 17 paise to be spent per patient. Observers pointed out to the spiraling prices of raw drugs and apathy on part of the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) as a reason for patients to keep away from Unani hospitals and dispensaries.

Another reason being cited for the pathetic state of affairs is the poorly equipped Government Indian Medicine Pharmacy at Kattedan. The pharmacy which was once throbbing with activity is now a pale shadow of its former self.

With a budget of just Rs 33 lakh for 2015-16, the pharmacy is ill-equipped to supply medicines to the 122 dispensaries and three major hospitals in Hyderabad, Hanamkonda and Nizamabad in Telangana state.
While at least 100 compound drugs are needed for a major hospital such as the Unani Hospital in Charminar, even half the quantity is not supplied.

The hospital needs Rs 2 lakh worth medicines every month, but the Kattedan centre is able to supply just Rs 75,000 worth medicine. The pharmacy at Kattedan procures 274 raw drugs and manufactures 58 compound drugs. Officials observed that dwindling budgets have forced them to increase the price of medicines.

An official said that with the cost of raw drugs spiraling, the centre has been unable to procure raw drugs. For instance Barge Babool which is Rs 800 per kg (given for fever) is not being bought for the last three years. Likewise, the centre needs 6 kg saffron per year but only procures 2 kg per year due to high cost. Saffron is sold at Rs 4 lakh per kg.

There was a time when Mastagi, a rubber like substance used to be imported from Rome some 15 years ago but is no longer procured. (See box for raw drugs that are not being procured). Doctors at Unani dispensaries said that medicines such as Ustoo Qudus (clears clots in brain), Asgandhe-e-Nagori (nervous system), Wajeturkey (joint pains), Mastagi Rumi (stomach disorders and kidney) were in severe short supply.

Dr Mohammed Rafi Ahmed, retired superintendent of Government Nizamia General Hospital said, “In the last few years, the prices of raw drugs have gone up several notches. Some medicines such as Maraweed is made out of pearls, which is good to strengthen the heart, is very costly and difficult to source from the market.”

The requirement of the most common drug Barge Babool is 200 kg. It is prescribed for fever, but is not supplied in enough quantity. Another medicine Jawareshe Razina made with sugar and sounf for stomach disorders is not being supplied in good quantity.

A few years ago, 28 kg per dispensary and two quintals for major hospitals per month was supplied but now one kg to dispensaries and 20-50 kg is what the hospitals get per month. Doctors feel that unless the Department of AYUSH does not increase budget and improve the production of medicines, the future of Unani hospitals looks bleak.

On the contrary, several Unani dispensaries in the city said they get enough patients. For instance, a dispensary at Moula Ali caters to 50 patients a day. Hakim Yadullah, chief medical officer (retd) said, “Unani medicine was popular during the Nizams and continued even after independence. Diseases cured by Unani medicine include paralysis, facial paralysis, arthritis, renal stone, jaundice, gynecological disorders such as disturbed uterus bleeding, polycystic ovarian disease, diabetics and neurological disorders. People want to come back to Unani and that is a good sign."

Sajid Faheem Qureshi, a Unani medicine practitioner at Khilwat in the Old City said, “People are returning to alternate medicine as there are no side effects. Unani medicines are effective for joint pains and most of my patients who come here with a complaint find relief after being prescribed Unani medicine.”

Rizwan, another resident of Purani Haveli swears by Unani medicine. He said, “Thanks to Munnalal Dawasas and other medical stores who stack up Unani medicines. We still are able to get medicines, but it is the duty of government hospitals to provide medicines.”

List of medicines that are needed, but are in short supply
1. Ustoo Qudus (Clears clots in brain)
2. Asgandhe-e-Nagori (nervous system)
3. Wajeturky (joint pains)
4. Gaozaban (strengthens the brain)
5. Maraweed (made out of pearl is given to strengthen the heart)
6. Saffron (to strengthen the whole body)
7. Mastagi Rumi (stomach disorders, kidney)

Not supplied enough
The compound drugs that are not supplied enough include

Habbe Jograj Gogul
Habbe Suranjan
Habbe Asaab
Habbe Kabid-Noushadri
Habbe Maraweed
Habbe Nuqra
Habbe Kakad Singhi
Qurse Taskeen
Qurse Habees
Qurse Gajga
Qurse Zarambaad

Costly raw drugs that are not being procured

• Mirwareed costs Rs 8,000 per kg
• Barge Babool which is Rs 800 per kg (given for fever) is not being bought for the last three years
• 6 kg saffron per year is needed, but only 2 kg per year is being procured. The cost of saffron is Rs 4 lakh per kg, It is a major deterrent
• Mastagi, a rubber like substance which used to be imported from Rome some 15 years ago is no longer being procured
• Maraweed and Amber, a marine product is no longer bought
• Jawarehe Razina, made with sounf and sugar for stomach disorders is supplied in small quantities. There was a time when 28 kg was supplied to dispensaries and 2 quintals to major hospitals, but now 1 kg to dispensaries and between 20-50 kg to major hospitals is supplied
• Similarly, Aslisoos, prescribed for Asthma, is a bark of a tree; the supply has been reduced