Publication:

Morbidity profiling of patients treated at Ayothidoss Pandithar Hospital of the National Institute of Siddha from 2004 to 2023 in Tamil Nadu, India

Background Understanding the patient flow for health-seeking patterns and utilization of AYUSH care in India has been considered essential for a greater emphasis on mainstreaming and blending into the existing healthcare systems. This study examines the morbidity profiling of patients reporting to Ayothidoss Pandithar Hospital (APH) of the National Institute of Siddha (NIS), Chennai.

Methods The study included new and old/revisit patients who attended the APH, Outpatient Department (OPD), special OPD, and Inpatient Department (IPD) from October 2004 to December 2023.

Results Through OPD and IPD, APH has treated 98,94,373 cases and 7,61,754 cases, respectively. The average number of cases treated per day at OPD was 1484, and 115 in IPD. Men were higher in OPD and IPD.  The more common diseases treated during 2012-2023 at OPD were Madhumegam (diabetes mellitus) 13% and Azhal keelvayu (osteoarthritis) 12% whereas, in IPD, it was Thandagavatham (lumbar spondylosis) 9.5% and Pakkavatham (hemiplegia) 9.4%. At APH, 9 X-ray investigations, 44 Varmam therapies, 37 Thokkanam therapies, 497 pathological, 433 biochemical investigations, and 38 microbiological tests were performed each day.

Conclusions This study reveals the scope of the Siddha system of Medicine in managing Musculoskeletal disorders. The patient data generated at APH would enhance the National Health Policy (NHP) objective of strengthening and prioritizing health services' importance, promoting good health, and creating guidelines for high-quality care.