This assignment was submitted to Mr.Wasif Ali Waseer Lecturer of Sociology at UMT, Lahore

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Indigenous Health System in Pakistan
2013
MUHAMMAD USAMA
UMT
10/1/2013

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Table of Contents
What is health System?........................................................................................................ 3,4
What is Indigenous Health System? ........................................................................................ 4
History of Pre Indigenous Health System in Pakistan ..............................................................4, 5
History Indigenous Health System in Pakistan ..........................................................................5, 6
Types of Indigenous Treaters in Pakistan....................................................................6, 7,8,9,10,11
Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 11
Bibliography..............................................................................................................................12

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Indigenous Health System in Pakistan
Chapter Outline
In this chapter students will learn about:
1. What is health System?
2. What is Indigenous Health System?
3. History of Pre Indigenous Health System in Pakistan
4. History Indigenous Health System in Pakistan
5. Types of Indigenous Treaters in Pakistan
6. Conclusion
What is Health System?
A health system, also sometimes referred to as health care system or healthcare system is
the organization of people, institutions, and resources to deliver health care services to meet
the health needs of target populations.
Figure { SEQ Figure * ARABIC } Health System
OR
According to WHO, “A health system consists of all organizations, people and actions whose
primary intent is to promote, restore or maintain health. This includes efforts to influence
determinants of health as well as more direct health-improving activities. A health system is
therefore more than the pyramid of publicly owned facilities that deliver personal health
services. It includes, for example, a mother caring for a sick child at home; private providers;
behaviour change programmes; vector-control campaigns; health insurance organizations;
occupational health and safety legislation. It includes inter-sectorial action by health staff, for
example, encouraging the ministry of education to promote female education, a well-known
determinant of better health.
{ CITATION Wor07 l 1078 }

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Figure { SEQ Figure * ARABIC } Health System
What is Indigenous Health System?
Indigenous Health System refers―a system that encompases of using ancient methods of
curing a disease. For Example: To cure a person from fever hakeems advised to take two
table spoon water of gilow thrice a day. What they do take the stem put it in the water for
entire night. When the abstracts of gilow was mixed in the water they fill a bottle with it and
name it as a syrup for fever.
Figure { SEQ Figure * ARABIC } Indigenous Health System
History of Pre Indigenous Health System in Pakistan
The history of Pre Indigenous health system begins with the migration of different
civilizations in subcontinent. The use of different techniques for medication goes back to
earlier settlers. The use of herbs to cure different diseases start as early as 7000 BCE. Aryan
tribe was one of the earlier settlers in the subcontinent. Both ailments physical and mental
were used to be treated through different ceremonies, attractions, songs, medicines and
surgical invention. Different religions like Jainism, Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism talk about
techniques use to cure diseases. In Qur’an different things are mentioned to cure different
disease such as, Nigella Seeds which are used to treat cardiac patients, constipation and many

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other diseases. In Jainism Garuda is the name used for yoga of self-discipline and discipline
of mind, body and speech, so that even earth, water, fire and air can come under one’s control.
Buddhism Buddha is the doctor; knowledge of the Dharma is the medicine, monastic as the
nursing staff, and all people as the patients. According to this medical analogy, Buddhism is
considered a medication with a broad meaning – a medication that can cure the ailments in all
aspects of life. Archaic Hindu Medicine in its earliest context is found mostly in the hymns of
Atharva Veda, and the Vedic term ‘beshhaja’, used to donate medicinal charms, which occurs
also in Avesta as baesazya. It is a ‘psychosomatic’ approach to healing a part of philosophical
system. It is a ‘psychosomatic’ approach to healing a part of philosophical system.{ CITATION
htt10 l 1033 }
Figure { SEQ Figure * ARABIC } Pre Indigenous Health System
History Indigenous Health System in Pakistan
Pakistan became an independent state. Most of the population that migrated to Pakistan was
associated with the profession of agriculture. Despite growing regular crops they also grew
herbs because they were familiar with their use for different treatments such as, fever,
influenza, Hepatitis, etc. Because they were at home in treating people with different diseases
using the herbs they were declared as, Hakeem. This is how profession of Hikmat emerged in
Pakistan.
Household Treatment is another type indigenous treatment being popular in Pakistani rural
areas. The elders of the house were considered as experts. They use to tell different tips to
cure diseases. For Example, if a child is suffering from ear pain they will advise to fry the
clove in Mustard oil and fill the effected ear with warm mustard oil.
Games were a source of rejoicement in Pakistan at the time of independence. The games that
were played in Pakistan mainly include Hockey, Horse Riding, Wrestling and Gully rod. In
the rural and urban areas there were many wrestling rings. Different wrestling matches were
organized at that time. For this wrestlers have to drill regularly. Through these drills they
became familiar with the formation of body structure. It was this knowledge that enables
them to manipulate a bone. Not only they manipulate a bone but also they were able to
provide treatment to the patient with inflammation of muscles and joints pain. For Example
they provide an oil of Ratan Jog for the treatment of Joint pains to their patients.

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Before independence there was Hinduism and other religions that were practiced at large. But
after the evaded by Muhammad Bin Qasim Islam has entered the subcontinent and Sindh was
declared Babul Islam. When the Sufi’s entered the subcontinent many people started
switching to Islam. The main Sufi’s of the subcontinent includes, Data Sahib, Musa Pak, Lal
Shehbaz Qalender and many more. The affiliation of their disciples was so strong that they for
each their single wish visit their shrines and promise that if their desire will be fulfilled they
will provide food to the disciples present at the shrine. It was practiced without visiting
shrines as, If Allah will fulfil my desire I will offer prayers five times a day at mosque.
Mostly Pakistani’s while working at their farms was habitual of becoming victim of
snakebite. At that time the people who were responsible for treating the patients with
snakebite was Jogis. Jogi is people that have an art to caught snakes. They take out the poison
from the body of the affected by using Prickly Gem, Snow Hail and herbs.
Astrologist was there in large number and many village people visits them because of their
illiteracy and strong belief on them regularly to know about their future and how they can
overcome to the evils, diseases they will face in future. The Astrologist use asks them about
their birth date, city of birth, and mother name then predicts the future of a person. Similarly
if a person has fallen ill and he visited an Astrologist he will diagnose that you fall ill because
there is the dark shadow of a person on you. If you have to avoid this shadow you have to
follow my instructions.
Palmist was another source of treatment for the people of Pakistan. Many villager and citizens
use to visit palmist to know about their future and ailment and how it can be cure using holy
beliefs. These palmists than judge the illness by studying the lines of hand and suggest the
treatment though holy book.
Among many other indigenous treatment one was Spiritual treatment. It was performed by
spiritual persons. They used to treat a patient in the light of Qur’an and Sunnah. Mainly they
used to treat the patients with mental disease such as, Insomnia, Shizrophenea, Paranoia, etc.
They perform their treatment at Mausoleum.
Figure { SEQ Figure * ARABIC } History of Indigenous Health System in Pakistan
Types of Indigenous Treaters in Pakistan

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Following are the types of indigenous Treaters in Pakistan
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
Bone Setter
Sufi
Palmist
Astrologist
Jogi
Spiritual Leader
Herbal Medication
Household Treatment
Bone Setter: A bonesetter is a practitioner of joint manipulation. Before the introduction of
the allopathic treatment of bone. The main source to treat a person with fracture was
bonesetters. These bone setters were at home in joining the fractured part of the body. They
also provide the treatment for the joints and muscle pain.
These bonesetters were mainly the wrestlers. They were the one who was most familiar with
the bone formation as they use to drill and while wrestling they use to touch the different part
of the body through which they became at home in treating the patient with fracture, joint
pain. These bonesetters were found in large number in Gujranwala and its suburbs. Even now
bonesetters practice in the few areas of Pakistan which includes Lahore. In Lahore the two
famous bonesetters are available at Shah Alam Market and Shadman, Samnabad and people
in large number visits them to get themselves treated for different illnesses such as, fracture,
joint pain, disk displacement, etc.
Figure { SEQ Figure * ARABIC } Bone Setter
Sufi: Sufi is religious personalities that were close to Allah and were the main source to
enlighten the key points of Qur’an and Sunnah. Many disciples were attached with them.
When any family member of disciple falls ill they use to appear in front of Sufi. These Sufi’s
perform tails and blessing for different diseases such as, fever, cancer, ulcers, etc. Even when
they demise from the world and their shrine are built. Their disciples visit their shrines
regularly and what so ever they beg beside the shrine of the Sufi they make promises that if
they will be cured from their diseases they will provide food to the disciples present at shrine,
built mosque, help a needy, pray nafals, etc. These Sufi’s entered in the Pakistan through
Sindh this is why Sindh is also known as Babul Islam. The famous Shrines that are present in
Pakistan are, Lal Shahbaz Qalender, Data Sahib, Musa Pak, etc. Thousands of disciples visit

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different famous shrines every day for the fulfilment of their desires. For Example, Smallpox
is common in Pakistan in children. Many disciples whom children have small pox use to visit
shrines and beg for the betterment of health of their child. They tie thread in the grid of the
tree, promise they will fulfil the need of the needy, provide food to dispel of the shrine,
provide household things to a poor.
Figure { SEQ Figure * ARABIC } Sufi
Palmist: Palmist is a person who was at home in reading the fate line. He uses to describe the
future to a person. These palmists than describe the future along with the reason why they are
facing hardships, ailments and show them a way to get rid of them. Along with Islam many
religions were practised in the subcontinent. Before the independence of Pakistan Hindu’s and
Muslims were living together they follow many traditions. One of the traditions was showing
hand to a Palmist. Even today many people have firm belief on these palmist commonly
known as, ‘amil’. These palmists are mainly found in the rural areas of Punjab, Sindh, KPK
and Baluchistan. Mainly palmists are practising in the urban areas of Pakistan. They treat
different diseases by reading the fate line. Mainly they treat the mental diseases such as,
Shizrophenea, Paranoia, Insomnia, etc. These palmists are Bengali Baba, Lahori Baba, Ali
Baba.
Figure { SEQ Figure * ARABIC } Palmist
Astrologist: Astrologist is a person that treats the patient using the knowledge of stars i.e.
Scorpio, Virgo, Leo, Gemini, Cancer, Capricorn, etc. All they require is date of birth, place
of birth and name of mother. They treat them be warning them the time of hardship and

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tactics to overcome the diseases. For example, Virgo is said to govern the hands, abdomen,
intestines, spleen and central nervous system. Illnesses to which its natives are prone include
catarrh, cold, coughs, pleurisies, pneumonia and nervous instabilities. Their natures make
them inclined to worry and this makes them vulnerable to stomach and bowel troubles,
including colic and ulcers. Male Virgoans may have trouble with their sexual organs. Both
sexes are strongly interested in drugs and esoteric cuisine and as their delicate stomachs
require them to be careful about their diet, it is essential that they treat their fascination with
exotic food with extreme care. The main astrologists in the Pakistan are, Mian Naeem, Naseeb
Hassan Shah, Syed Azim Jaffery, Mamu, Liaqat Sabtain, etc.
Figure { SEQ Figure * ARABIC } Astrologist
Spiritual Leader: A person that treat the patient in the light of Qur’an and Sunnah. Mainly
they treat the cardiac patient and patients with mental disorders such as, Shizrophenea,
paranoia, insomnia, etc. For the treatment of cardiac patient with closed arteries they advise to
use one cup lemon juice, one cup ginger juice, one cup garlic juice, one cup apple vinegar.
Stir them in a in a pot on light heat for half an hour and when the solution remain for three
cup and cool it then add three cups honey. Take this solution with an empty stomach for three
table spoon every day. Most of these spiritual leaders are Sufi’s and are attached to this
profession from their forefathers like, Peer Syed Ali Warsi, Peer Syed Gillani Sahib, Chotey
Peer Sahib, etc. Many rural people have firm belief on them.

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Figure { SEQ Figure * ARABIC } Spiritual Leader
Herbal Medication: Most of the people in Pakistan are associated with the profession of
agriculture. They use to grow different crops such as, cotton, rice, wheat, sugarcane,
vegetables, etc. Along with these crops many herbs were grown. Whenever they fall ill they
harvest them and use them for the treatment of different diseases. Like typhoid fever, fever,
stomach ache, loose stools, etc. The use of honey for cough with ginger juice, use for corn’s
hair for kidney and many more. The person that is associated with this profession is called
Hakim. They have made their Dawakhana’s. Most of them are very famous like, Hamdard
Dawakhana, Qarshi Dawakhana, Dawakhana Hakim Suleman Khan, etc.
Figure { SEQ Figure * ARABIC } Herbal Medication
Household Treatment: Household Treatment is another type aboriginal treatment being
general in Pakistani rural areas. The chiefs of the family were well-thought-out as specialists.
They use to tell different tips to remedy diseases. For Example, if a child is suffering from ear
pain they will advise to fry the clove in Mustard oil and fill the effected ear with warm
mustard oil.

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Figure { SEQ Figure * ARABIC } Household Treatment
Jogi: Jogi is person that has an art to caught snakes. They take out the poison from the body
of the affected by using Prickly Gem, Snow Hail and herbs. Mostly Pakistani’s while
operational at their homesteads was customary of becoming prey of snakebite. At that phase
the creature who was liable for handling the patients with snakebite was Jogis.
Figure { SEQ Figure * ARABIC } Jogi
Conclusion: The poverty in the Pakistan is approx. 66%. Most of the population lives in the
rural areas. As the modern health system is expensive they prefer indigenous health treatment
which includes the above mentioned mode of treatment. So there is a need to overcome the
weaknesses in the health system of Pakistan and need to revisit the health policy being run in
Pakistan. So that the poor unhealthy people can rejoice their lives fruitfully.
Figure { SEQ Figure * ARABIC } Conclusion

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Bibliography
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