Healthcare
SETTING UP OF MODAL HERBAL GARDENS
Kanyakumari-District is famous herbals and herbal medicines. Herbal plants are used for producing different therapeutic medicines. There is a growing demand for herbal medicines in the local market and the demand for it will further grow in the coming days. Ayurvedic medicine preparation companies are purchasing herbs in large quantity for herbal medicine preparation, which offers an assured market for the herbs grown by the tribal people. In order to promote herbal cultivation and propagation of herbs SMIDS has set-up five model herbal gardens in the project area. The model herbal gardens are established at Thadikkarakonam, Arukani, Keeripari, Thalakkumali and Pathukani.
Proper green house facilities are erected these five places to keep the herbal saplings. The model herbal garden unit is entrusted to a tribal family from the area and it is his responsibility to raise herbal saplings and sell it to the farmers who are interested to grow herbal plants. SMIDS has given necessary guidance and facilitation in running the Model Herbal Garden. Saplings and seeds of endangered herbal plants were collected from the forest by using the traditional health practitioner who knows about the therapeutic value of such herbs.
Model Herbal Gardens are found very useful for the villagers in getting good quality saplings of different useful herbs and medicinal plants. Further herbal gardens are taking effective steps to preserve and propagate endangered herbs in the area. Model Herbal Garden is serving as a demonstration unit where one can learn more about different medicinal plants and its therapeutic value.
TRAINING IN HERBAL MEDICINE PREPARATION
Traditional health practices of the tribal communities making use of locally available herbs have from time immemorial provided innumerable health care options as preventives and curatives and has thus played an important role in enhancing the health of the local populations. Kani tribes are very good in preparing different herbal medicines from locally available herbs. The younger generation in the Kani tribes are not trained or not engaged in preparing herbal medicine. There is every reason to promote knowledge and understanding of which type of herb must be used for treating which ailment to the younger Kani tribes.
We have identified 30 young kani tribal youth and imparted 10 days intensive training in Herbal Medicine preparation at Thadikkarakonam from February 25 to March 07,2019. It was learning by doing training. Mr.Balakrishnan Kani and Mr.Thomas Vaidayer were the main instructors for the training. Both of them having years of experience in herbal medicine preparation and is engaged in the activity. They conducted the sessions in a very methodic manner. Firstly they explained in detail about different herbs and its therapeutic values.
During the training the trainees prepared Kayathirumeni oil by using different herbs which are locally available. Trainees were involved in collecting the herbs from the area, extracting juice from herbs, powdering the herbs, boiling the herbs, mixing it right proportion. Trainees did all this under the strict supervision of the instructors. They also learned to prepare herbal powder for cough and hair oil during the training. Thirty youth trained in herbal medicine preparation are now engaged in herbal medicine preparation and it is helping them to earn a decent income from sale of herbal medicines.
SMIDS has been able to initiate a integrated development process in 43 tribal hamlets in Kanyakumari-District for the socio-economic development of the Kani tribe. The implementation of the project has been instrumental in enhancing the capacities of the existing SHG leaders, which we are optimistic will sustain the Self-Help initiatives we have started in the project area. Capacitated SHG leaders will ensure effective running of their respective SHGs and will explore ways to get assistance from different sources including government for the socio-economic development of its members. Legal literary programmes organized under this project will surely help the local community to fight for their rights and demand justice from the authorities in case of rights violations is happened.
The individual income generation units started with the project support will help the target group people to expand their income base and lead a dignified life in the society. Further it has contributed to the emergency of successful entrepreneurs in the area. The special emphasis given to promote higher education among the tribal youth will contribute to the educational advancement of the target group people. Model Herbal Garden promotion and herbal medicine preparation from locally available herbs/medicinal plants will help the local community earn steady income from involving in herbal medicine preparation and at the same time the larger community will be able to get quality herbal medicines at a reasonable rate. We are optimistic that the measures planned under this project for its sustainability will help us to continue our efforts in empowering the tribal community for their all-round growth.
SMIDS is appreciative of the active cooperation it has received from the target group people in implementing this project. The generous financial assistance received from Conferenza Episcopale Italiana was very helpful for us to implement this project for the benefit of the tribal families living in 43 tribal hamlets. The financial resource provided by CEI helped us to execute all the project measures in an effective manner. We really appreciate your understanding our situation and generosity in supporting the poor in our area. On behalf of the tribal families benefitted from this project.
HIV – TB PROGRAMME
To increase the activities for awareness rising, home based care and patient follow up in HIV and TB Cross referrals is conducted regularly.
DRUG DE-ADDICTION TREATMENT
Through our Drug awareness, Counselling and Assistance centre we realized the need for a de-addiction treatment cum rehabilitation centre. This programme is continuing till date.. We are providing them a course of treatment comprising detoxification, individual counseling, group therapy, group activity, spouse counseling, family counseling, yoga therapy and rehabilitation services to the needy persons. Since the inception of this centre we provided treatment to over 1400 addicted persons as inpatients. Through this programme we are also providing treatment to outpatient addicts. So far we have provided treatment to over 4000 persons affected by drugs / alcohol. We have achieved over 90% of the addicted persons give up the habit and started a drug-free life. We also followed up the relapsing cases.
STELLA MARIS HEALING CENTRE
Offers holistic health and disease management with a difference where the physical, mental, environmental and spiritual existence of human life is nurtured through the authentic knowledge and wisdom of Ayurveda. Stella Maris Healing Centre has established a specialized Panchakarma centre.
Specialty Ayurveda Panchakarma Clinic provides specific treatments for Arthritis(Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis), Skin Diseases(Psoriasis, Allergic skin diseases),Back Pain, Cervical Spondylosis and spondylitis, Inter vertebral disc degeneration and prolapse, Sciatica, Muscular Atrophy, Paralysis, Eye Diseases, Post orthopedic care, Post Partum Care, Psychic depression and other chronic degenerative diseases. This specialty clinic is exclusively supported by the Department of AYUSH, Government of India.
Treatment Packages
- Kerala Panchakrma Package
- Rejuvenation Package
- Detoxification (Purification) Package
- Age reversal and Immune modulation package
- Psychosomatic Stress relief Package
- Weight Reduction Package
These different packages are available for 7 days, 14 days, 21 days and 28 days. The panchakarma treatment plan for all these packages can be finalized only after consultation with our ayurvedic doctors.
All packages include the combination of Panchakarma treatments along with internal medication in accordance with the body constitution, diagnosis and prescription by the Ayurvedic doctors. The diet (therapeutic diet) and life style prescriptions are also done by Ayurvedic doctors. Normally treatments are done in two sessions in a day – the morning and evening.
Services
- Diet-prescribed by the doctor/vegetarian/organic tea
- Restaurant and Dining facility
- Airport pick up and drop on request
- Local sightseeing trips to Kanyakumari (Thudikkarankonam Hill station) / Kumarakom (Backwater) on request and before the start of treatments.
- Campus tour at the SMIDS campus includes; visit to medicinal eco-park, organic farming, organic spices and tea factories.
- Yoga class on request
- Laundry facility
- Walking /Cycling path
- Very natural environment with all diversities of nature for relaxation and rejuvenation
Accommodation Facilities
- Double/Single Occupancy Apartment Rooms
- Common Room for each apartment with dining facility, Television and Wi-Fi facility
- Cottages with dining facility, Television and Wi-Fi facility
All treatments are done in accordance with the treatment plan prescribed by the Ayurveda doctor after the consultation and under his close supervision. The service of well qualified and experienced Ayurvedic doctors and therapists are available in the hospital. The medicines used for the treatment
Travel facilities
- Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram – 80 kms (3hours travel)
- Nearest Railway Station: Kanniyakumari – 4 kms (10mt)
HEALTH CARE PROJECTS
Stella Maris provides a network between its health education programs and government departments. It strives to improve the health of as many families as possible. Within a span of four years, 119,811 people have become both learners and instructors
