Seminar to prove leeches can be used to treat diseases

The state-run RA Podar Medical (Ayurvedic) College will hold its first national seminar on using leeches to treat various diseases.

The seminar which will be held today will focus on leech therapy — a blood-letting therapy in Ayurveda and will see presentations on the use of this therapy in patients with various medico-surgical conditions.

The therapy has no side-effects except for blood loss for a bit after the procedure. It is useful in patients who were not fit for surgery and even in children. The pain in leech application is lesser than that compared to surgical procedures. It is also less time consuming.

Dr K. Rajeshwar Reddy, associate professor and project director of the Hirudotherapy centre, RA Podar Medical College and MA Podar Hospital and the seminar’s organising secretary said the purpose was to sensitise policymakers, professionals, researchers and practitioners.

Dr Reddy’s research has revealed that leech therapy showed good results in musculoskeletal disorders, inflammatory conditions, acne, skin diseases, osteoarthritis, diabetic foot ulcer, hypothyroidism, prolapsed and thrombosed piles and herpes zoster. He said leeches had around 100 pharmacological and biological substances in their saliva and secreted anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and analgesic components while sucking blood in this parasurgical procedure.
He said leeches could also be used in some post-operative complications.

The hospital also plans to start a breeding and preservation centre.

The seminar will be held on the medical college premises at Worli. Dr Vijaykumar Gavit, the Medical Education minister and DP Sawant, the minister of state are expected to attend.