Extending therapies

The newly inaugurated spacious premises of the Lowjee Wadia Dispensary Trust at Lalbaug will serve as a center for various alternative therapies, announced the chairman of the Trust Kersi Limath­walla. Besides conventional allopathy, the center would offer various therapies like ayurveda, aromatherapy, unani, homeopathy, Tibetan medicine, naturopathy, pranic healing, yoga, magnet therapy, etc which have become popular in recent years in the treatment of chronic ailments, states a press release.

Following the inauguration on July 18, 2003, a five-day Tibetan medical camp was conducted by the team of doctors and para medical staff who had come from Men-Tsee-Khang, an institute in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. The leader of their medical team, Dr Yangbum Gyal who had recently returned from the United States, referred to the holistic approach of this system of medicine which had miraculous cures for many ailments. His claim was attested by Jayaben Maheshwari whose son’s bone marrow problem which required monthly blood transfusions had been cured after he started Tibetan medicine. Presenting a traditional Tibetan scarf as a mark of honor to Limathwalla and the honorary director Dr Kersi Hozdar, Gyal expressed a desire to set up a permanent medical facility at the Trust premises, according to the release.

The ceremonial cutting of the ribbon was done by Hozdar as the trustees decided to give the privilege to a dedicated co-worker instead of a celebrity, explained Limathwalla while thanking his co-trustees Shireen Wadia and Shyam Wadia for their unstinted cooperation. A respected senior member of the medical fraternity known for his dedication and commitment to social causes, Hozdar had been instrumental in introducing new facilities at the Dispensary. Personally committing to give his time and service to the Trust, Hozdar sought to make life easy for the sick and the ailing.

It was similar sentiments which had made Lowjee Wadia set up a charitable medical facility for the poor and the deserving of all communities when he was gifted property in Lalbaug, known as Inam Land, by the East India Company. A prominent and decorated Parsi of the mid-19th century, blessed with a charitable disposition and noble demeanor, Wadia was respected both by the villagers of Lalbaug and the rulers who appreciated his dedication and service.