Impact of Siddha Medical System among the Tribal Populations of Mokokchung, Nagaland, India

Background: The Siddha Medical System, originating from South India, was introduced in Nagaland to assess its efficacy, strength, and affordability. The Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy), Govt. of India, organized the State Level Arogya Fair to showcase the best and latest developments in the field of AYUSH. Materials and Methods: It conducted a cross-sectional analysis in the Mokokchung district of Nagaland to include all who attended the Siddha Medical camp and awareness programmes from 12th and 15th of December 2017. Results: A total of 172 patients consulted and received Siddha treatments for their illnesses, and they were provided with internal medicines, Varmam and other external procedures to aid in their recovery, more than 80% of them were affected by Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT) disorders, others are Ophthalmic complaints and musculoskeletal disorders. The Mokokchung district is predominantly home to the ‘Ao’ tribe. Interestingly, researchers have found that there are similarities between the environment in which the Ao-Nagas live and the environment in Kuṟiñci. This suggests that the Siddha medical system may have valuable recommendations for the people living in Mokokchung, and the entire Nagaland community. Conclusion: The Siddha Medical system has a significant chance of being effective for all ethnicities, including the Naga tribes, who have reported receiving significant benefits from Siddha drugs and Varmam management. The major challenge is the lack of accessibility of Siddha outside the South India, which has hindered the adoption and development in other parts of India.