Free Panchakarma at National Institute of Ayurveda draws heavy rush, long waits

Jaipur: The rising demand for Panchakarma therapies at the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) has led to overcrowding, long waiting periods, and patients being treated in makeshift spaces, highlighting a widening gap between demand and available infrastructure. 

At the government-run institute, Panchakarma treatments- often costing up to Rs 2.5 lakh in private centres- are provided free of cost, reports Bhaskar English. However, with only 48 general beds and five cottages dedicated to such therapies, the facility is struggling to accommodate the growing number of patients. On average, around 200 patients requiring Panchakarma care visit the institute daily, resulting in waiting periods stretching up to three to four months.

In some cases, patients are left with little choice but to accept treatment under less-than-ideal conditions. A 35-year-old woman from Punjab, who travelled to Jaipur seeking relief from persistent stomach issues, agreed to undergo treatment in a corridor after being informed that no beds were available. She has reportedly been receiving therapy from a temporary bed placed in the gallery for over two weeks, citing a lack of alternatives after travelling such a long distance.

Despite these challenges, patients continue to flock to the institute due to the effectiveness and affordability of its treatments. A 51-year-old patient from Indore, suffering from cervical spondylitis, reported significant improvement after undergoing 25 days of Panchakarma therapy at the institute. He, however, stressed the need for better infrastructure to ensure more patients can access care without prolonged delays.

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Doctors at NIA say the waiting time is largely due to the nature of Panchakarma treatment, which typically requires patients to stay for 15 days to a month. This limits bed availability and slows down patient turnover. The institute treats a wide range of conditions, including joint pain, neurological disorders, paralysis, and skin diseases, contributing to the steady rise in patient numbers.

Data from the institute shows a sharp increase in demand. In 2025, over 1.33 lakh procedures were conducted, benefiting around 68,000 patients. In just the first three months of this year, more than 26,000 procedures and nearly 14,000 patients have already been recorded. On a daily basis, over 500 Panchakarma therapies are carried out across outpatient and inpatient departments.

At the National Institute of Ayurveda, doctors attribute the prolonged waiting period largely to the time-intensive nature of Panchakarma therapy. Depending on the severity of the illness, patients are often required to remain admitted for two to four weeks. This extended duration limits the turnover of beds, making it difficult to accommodate new patients quickly. Consequently, even those in urgent need of treatment frequently face delays of several months, enduring ongoing discomfort while waiting for admission.

According to Dr Gopesh Mangal, head of Panchakarma department, many patients arriving at the institute have already explored other treatment options without adequate relief. He noted that a significant proportion of cases involve neurological conditions, orthopaedic issues, and chronic skin disorders, all of which typically require longer and more intensive therapy, further increasing the burden on existing facilities.

The high cost of Panchakarma treatment in private centres is another factor driving patient inflow to NIA. In smaller clinics, daily sessions can cost anywhere between Rs 1,000 and Rs 5,000, while short-duration packages may range from Rs 30,000 to over Rs 1 lakh. More comprehensive treatment plans, especially those spanning three weeks and including accommodation and dietary care, can go up to Rs 2.5 lakh, making them unaffordable for many patients.

To cope with the rising demand, the institute has initiated plans to expand its infrastructure. The proposal includes acquiring additional land and increasing treatment capacity. The matter has been taken up at higher levels, with Union AYUSH Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav advocating for expansion. During a recent event, Rajasthan Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma also assured support by promising land allocation.

A committee has been constituted to identify suitable land near Jaipur, and proposals have already been forwarded to the state authorities. However, approvals are still pending. As a temporary measure, the institute is exploring options to lease additional space to accommodate more patients.

NIA Vice-Chancellor Dr Sanjeev Sharma stated that both long-term and short-term solutions are being pursued simultaneously. While efforts to secure land are ongoing, the possibility of renting a building is also under consideration to ease the current pressure. Officials believe the steady rise in patient numbers reflects increasing confidence in Panchakarma therapy. However, until infrastructure is significantly expanded, patients may continue to face delays and constrained treatment conditions despite the availability of free care.

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