Patient Empathy & Performance Excellence, these traits embody Dr Zankh…read moreana Buch, the Medical Superintendent at AyurVAID Hospitals Domlur. Passionate about Ayurveda, she possesses 15 years of experience in the field of clinical Ayurveda.
A gold medalist at her alma mater at under-graduate and post-graduate levels, Gujarat Ayurved University, she has an exceptional academic profile; magna cum laude graduate of Shri Gulab KunverbaAyurvedMahavidhyalaya, Gujarat Ayurveda University, and holds an MD degree in Kayachikitsa (Ayurveda Internal medicine) cum laude from IPGTRA, Jamanagar
Dr Zankhana carried out an extensive study with surgical and medical oncology department at Samarpan General Hospitals, Jamnagar, Gujarat to assess the role of Ayurveda intervention in cancer patients. Thereafter, her work experience at Cancer Complementary Clinic Kasturba Health Society and SL Raheja Hospital in Mumbai, India has given her an opportunity to build a strong foundation of her understanding about integrative oncology.
Dr Zankhana has led AyurVAID’s Integrated Cancer Rehabilitation Program (ICRP) since 2012. ICRP addresses palliative care for primary as well as secondary (metastatic) cancers to improve the patient’s ‘Quality of Life’. Classical Ayurveda medical management is appropriately integrated with the primary management of cancer to alleviate acute side effects of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy such as mucositis, nausea, burns management, constipation, loss of appetite, cachexia, depression, insomnia, etc. to enhance functional health and overall sense of well-being and to minimize defaults due to poor tolerance to treatments. Further, from the point of view of preventing relapse and spread of the cancer, she manages tertiary prevention programs.
For those with familial or other primary risk of developing cancer she has developed primary prevention programs based on a personalized Ayurveda prescription of diet-lifestyle-herbal medicines-deep systems detox therapies. Her special understanding of modern oncology as well as classical Ayurveda puts her in a unique position to bridge the two effectively in the best interests of the patients. Her clinical and research work to date at AyurVAID and earlier is focused and solid.
Apart from Cancer, Kayachikitsa (Ayurveda Internal Medicine) being her clinical specialty; Dr. Zankhana pioneering work in Diabetes Reversal and Diabetes Management through Ayurveda has found mention in international medical journals.
Her focused areas of Classical Ayurveda treatment include Diabetes (Pre-Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes Treatment, Diabetes Complications, Diabetes in Children, Diabetes Management, Diabetic Ulcer Treatment, Diabetes Renal Failure, Diabetic Diet Counselling), Arthritis ( Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Gout, Psoriatic, Arthritis Management, Arthritis and Pain Management), Pituitary Disorders, Frozen shoulder treatment, Articular Pain Treatment, Spondylosis (Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar), Ankylosing Spondylitis Treatment, Parkinson's, Psoriasis, Eczema, PCOD & Menstrual Disorders, Acid Peptic Disorders, Detoxification, Lifestyle & Metabolic Disorders, Cancer Care, Cardiovascular Problems, Respiratory Disorders including Bronchial Asthma Treatment, Weight Loss, Rheumatology, Gastroenterology, Infertility and Neurological disorders (Parkinsonism, stroke rehabilitation, epilepsy). She has been working with greater interest in various complex and inconclusive neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS in various age groups of patients. She has been a staunch proponent of Integrative medicine and practises with most fundamental principles of integrative medicine discussing, reaching out to primary allopathy physician, and deriving goals of treatment jointly in the best interest of her patient.
She truly believes in compassionate solidarity. The vocation of physician is to relieve the suffering caused by illness, trauma, and degeneration. However, since the suffering is an existential state that does not necessarily parallel physical or emotional state; physicians cannot rely solely on knowledge and skills that address physiological dysfunction. Rather they must learn to engage with patient at an existential level. She thoroughly enjoys engaging with her patients and ensures a “patient” hearing. She believes in listening generously so that to nurture authentic, bidirectional relationships that gives her and her patients a sense of mutual purpose for achieving remarkable medical outcomes.
She has received Jeevaka Award in 2003 by Himalaya Health Care Company for academic excellence in BAMS.
She is a member at Society of Integrative Oncology (SIO), the premier multi-disciplinary professional organization for integrative oncology.
Research experience:
Principal Investigator: Ayush EMR COVID -19 Prophylaxis: Pre-Exposure, Ayurveda Prophylaxis for COVID-19 In Healthcare Workers: A Pragmatic, Risk Stratified, Randomized Clinical Trial (PRASACT)”
Publications
• Use of Ayurveda in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
• Owning up Mistakes: Narrative of an Ayurveda Physician
• Ayurveda for diabetes in India
• Role of Ayurveda in Integrated Oncology- AyurVAID’s ICRP a Role Model
Media Publication and Podcast:
1. That food that combines the doc and your mum in one shot as it heals and comforts
2. Ayurveda tells us that it’s best to stop rhinitis before it escalates into something worse
3. Question and answer session with Dr.Zankhana Buch on PCOS
4. 10 foods you must include in your dietread less