Status of Naturopathy in Nepal

Naturopathy is the form of alternate medicine as a drugless,non invasive ,evidence based system imparting treatments with natural elements based on the theory of vitality , toxaemia and the self healing capacity of the body as well as the principles of healthy living. And in Nepal as the nature’s beauty , Naturopathic system of medicine is flourishing among the people.                                             


According to WHO data published in 2016, The life expectancy in Nepal is 73 years.According to A Country based on Global Burden of disease 2017 study , the top 10 causes of deaths in Nepal are

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE	NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
Diarrheal disease	Ischemic Heart Disease
Lower respiratory infections	COPD
Drug susceptible tuberculosis	Stroke
Neonatal disorders	Alzheimer’s disease
Tetanus	Asthma

 66% of the deaths in Nepal are occurring due to the prevalence of  Non Communicable disease by which CVDs are the leading cause. The main CVDs were Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA), Congestive Cardiac Failure (CCF), Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD), Myocardial Infarction (MI), Hypertension (HTN), Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) . Naturopathy has been seen successful for the treatment of majorly non communicable disease than communicable disease in Nepal.The first impression in Naturopathy was initiated in Nepal in 2^nd October 1968 .But there was no one who was having a recognised degree in the field of naturopathy in Nepal. Eventually in 2001 , first BNYS doctor was introduced , afterwards the trend of Naturopathy got increased.Now there are nearly 100 registered Naturopathic Doctors all over Nepal.In the year 1984  Nepal Yoga and Nature Cure Association was established in order to provide a direction to the people towards returning to the nature and to provide a directive influence in the health cure capability in more and more natural ways and means. Naturopathy was included in the National Health Care System that is on 3^rd June 2002 and the same date was concluded as “National Naturopathy Day” . Nowadays more people are becoming aware of Naturopathy. Currently there are not any BNYS(Bachelor in Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences) colleges in Nepal but the syllabus is being already prepared for the opening of Naturopathy College in Nepal and will be started soon.Nepal Government has recognised  Naturopathy in National System of Medicine but there is no single government centre.There is a association named as YANDA(Yoga and Naturopathic Doctors Association) established in 2009 which works for the progress of Naturopathy and Yoga . The association is working for creating government jobs since it is working as a private level only. At the education level ,  different courses of naturopathy have been running for the better understanding of naturopathy. CNYS(Certificate Course in Naturopathy and Yogic Science) with the duration of 3 years is running under CTEVT(The Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training) and different training programs are also being taught for better and effective improvement in naturopathy.The association also do the health camps as well as awareness camp for flourishing naturopathy in every corner of Nepal.Various committees have been made by Health Ministry of Nepal but non of the efforts are effective at all. The clinical practice of Naturopathy in Nepal is becoming more popular and vast. It is giving a beautiful result to the different types of diseases .Naturopathic treatment has been effective mainly  in the cases of Stroke , Intervertebral disc prolapse , osteoarthritis , Diabetes mellitus(II) , Hypertension etc. The treatment modalities are based on the preventive, promotive and curative approach. Public health with the urbanization has recognised the assumed importance of psychological and social manifestation in health problems. Naturopathic treatments are applicable to work effectively at physical level as well as the mental level by making the body physically fit and mentally strong.There are nearly  100 naturopathy hospital across the country , and there hospitals are in increasing order and different Medi-spas and Wellness retreat centres have been developed as the modernization of the health is in the trending order. And the results after taking the naturopathic treatment is also seen as effective and beneficial modality by which many peoples have faith in the alternate system of medicine that is naturopathy.Different challenges are being seen for the better development in the field of Naturopathy in Nepal like there is no government policy and involvement to develop naturopathy in a standard level . The development of naturopathy is also hindering due to the political instability.  Also there is lack of researches as there is traditional approach rather than evidence based approach. These challenges are being progressing towards the positive level as  Yoga and Naturopathic Doctors Association(YANDA) is working to make naturopathy as a standard system of medicine and making it equivalent with the other systems of medicine. And different seminar are also being held for the promotion of naturopathy in order to make the people understandable about the importance of naturopathy in their lives.In Nepal , there is significant increase in the attraction of Naturopathy and people are knowing the importance of naturopathy in their lives. More people are being aware of the adopting the natural and healthy lifestyle with the natural means of medicine. Naturopathic Doctors are conducting different types of awareness camp quoting about the benefits of naturopathic medicine for the adoption of disease free and healthy lifestyle.Naturopathic treatment mainly due to diet therapy the percentage of prevalence of non communicable disease has been decreased and other treatment modalities like hydrotherapy ,acupuncture, mud therapy, yoga therapy, physiotherapy etc. have given a tremendous effect towards the disease prevention. Acupuncture and Physiotherapy has been seen effective in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and for rehabilitation.There is significant contribution from public and community about the propagation of naturopathy and its beneficial effect in the human body as well as to adopt a normal and healthy lifestyle. So the status of Naturopathy in Nepal is flourishing more and people are adopting the healthy lifestyle by following the Natural means of medicine that is Naturopathy.