Irina Gurjeva is not just another vacationer in Kerala. Ukraine is known for its gorgeous and diverse landscape, well-preserved culture and tradition, and beautiful women and Irina finds it easy to equate Kerala with her homeland. She has reasons to treat this part of Earth as “God's Own Country”, for her husband was brought back to normal health by an Ayurveda Vaidya from north Kerala. And for the past two decades, Irina is a serious proponent of the ancient Indian system of curative therapy, Ayurveda.
A widely traveled Irina believes “pure and original Ayurveda can only be experienced in Kerala and I always propose people experience the unadulterated Ayurveda here in Kerala.” She, as an “Ayurveda Consultant,” brings in guests for “Traditional Ayurveda holidaying” from over twenty European Counties to different destinations in Kerala. Irina Gurjeva, in an exclusive interaction with our Editor Suresh Unnithan expressed her thoughts on Kerala as an ideal destination for medical tourism.
What sort of visible changes have you observed in the field of Ayurveda and medical tourism here?
Irina: It’s unfortunate, people with monetary motives are slowly trying to dominate the Ayurveda sector and that is unwelcome. The treatment can differ from patient to patient and much of the therapy depends on the patient’s condition. The best treatment from the best Doctor in an unhygienic atmosphere can even worsen the health condition of the patient.
What could be the percentage of your guests who would have revisited India/Kerala for medical treatment or wellness?
Of course, the revisits much depend on the genuineness of the Ayurveda facilities they visited and the hospitality they experienced there.
How do you rate the Ayurveda medical services offered in Kerala compared to other parts of the world, in terms of cost and facilities?
Irina: Keraliya Ayurveda is creditable and has high curative competency. The Kerala traditional therapy system is highly appreciated across the globe. Not just that, in Kerala we can get authentic fresh Ayurveda medications, freshly prepared medicated oils, and educated, genuine therapists. There may be just one doctor with hardly 3-4 therapists managing the facility. Most importantly, Kerala has a very conducive climate for Ayurveda and has a natural abundance of herbs and medicinal plants for fresh medical preparations.
We can come here any season at our will and experience the best Ayurveda therapy.
Irina: I am coming to Kerala with my clients as an Ayurveda consultant to provide them with real-time assistance. They feel better and more confident when I am here with them because I am sorting out all their requests, even related to medical assistance like health check-ups, etc. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, I stayed here in Kerala for over 5 months per year.
What inspired you to choose India in general and Kerala in particular as a destination for medical tourism?
Irina Gurjeva: The fact is, India chose me and Kerala as well. Twenty-one years ago I arrived here in Kerala to treat my husband. Knowing this successful experience of traditional treatment many of our friends expressed their desire to go for the same traditional therapy to better their health.
As a Global Ayurveda Consultant, how do you rate the Ayurveda therapy practiced in Kerala?
Irina: Panchakarma of Kerala origin is much more patient-centric. Not like the Ayurveda therapy practiced in Northern India where the treatment is mostly done according to the protocols of Sushruta Samhita. Traditional Ayurveda is more patient-centric.
Use not just one method of therapy, try different ways to cure the patient. Ayurveda doctors can read all modern medical documents and make good use of the latest diagnostic tools like ultrasound, x-ray, blood reports, etc.
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