Acupuncture Institute of Ananda Nagar commenced a regular 3-year degree college in 1998, with a goal to provide a quality education of international standards, a challenge to our eager students, while developing a strong connection to the existing medical community. Our course outline is designed to expose our students to a variety of diagnostic approaches and treatment principles, from 5 Elements to 8 Essentials, a full understanding of Zung/fu interrelationships. We stress the ability to make a sound diagnosis, a realistic treatment plan, and a coherent communication to the patient. Our course outline also exposes the student to a variety of healthcare modalities, from allopathic procedures to homeopathic treatments, yogic studies, so that the student can refer patients to an individual approach to a treatment that will best serve the patient.
Our Free Community Clinic treats 40 to 60 patients per day. We are open 6 days a week, treating acute and chronic disorders, from the sore throat to joint aches to sever malnutrition, leprosy and polio. Our clinic is perhaps our most active classroom. Fees range from free to about 30 rupees (65 cents US).
The Community We Serve In this remote and rural area of India, it often seems like a trip back in time. Skills are limited; services are nonexistent. The family defines the village; sons bring wives to their home; daughters leave their village to go to a new husband's home. The sons may be given the opportunity to go to school; rarely does a daughter attend school. In the Ananda Nagar region there are presently 2400 boys in school; and 20 girls. Very old world, where we find opportunity for education, we take it.
The Staff of the Acupuncture Clinic in 1996 ... Each patient is reassessed with each visit ... A local family that has welcomed us into their home ...