Leech Therapy Remains Popular in Valley Despite Advancements in Modern Medicine

By Mir Rameez Raja

Srinagar: October 29

Ganderbal
 

On the 21st of March, a large number of patients gathered outside the renowned shrine in the Hazratbal area of Srinagar, Kashmir.

In a startling development, leeches have been found to be deliberately placed on a person's body, where they proceed to pierce the skin using their teeth and inject anticoagulants through their saliva. This unique method effectively thins the patient's blood, causing a significant impact on their overall health.

A patient sits with leeches on his back, hoping to get cured by the therapy. (Photo: Mir Rameez Raja)

The leech therapists assert that their procedure has been found beneficial in addressing a wide array of health conditions, including but not limited to fatty liver, hypertension, blood clotting, psoriasis, and various other ailments.

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Abdul Raheem, a city resident, has come forward to share his long-standing struggle with severe ankle pain and high blood pressure.

In a series of unsuccessful attempts, the individual sought medical treatment at numerous hospitals without success. Raheem, a patient who sought leech therapy, expressed his satisfaction with the treatment, stating that he had visited the facility last year and witnessed significant improvement in his condition.

Believers in leech therapy hope to cure an array of ailments from frostbite, joint swelling, hypertension to acne, pigmentation and headaches. (Photo: Mir Rameez Raja)

Tanveer ul Islam shared the harrowing ordeal his children endured during their journey from Ganderbal. He revealed that his children had fallen victim to frostbite, skin diseases, and various blood infections. However, Tanveer ul Islam expressed relief as he informed us that he sought leech therapy for his children, which has proven to be effective in their recovery process.

A leech must go through a meticulous weighing procedure in the crucial pre-therapy step, and then another weighing procedure after therapy to determine how much blood it has successfully extracted. In the realm of leech species, careful selection is imperative. In a statement, Dr. Khurshid Qureshi emphasized that only a limited number of leeches are advised for this particular therapy.

According to Dr. Qureshi, there are potential risks of acquiring different diseases if the therapy is not administered under professional supervision. In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that the therapy being conducted in this particular establishment is predominantly marred by unethical practices. According to Dr. Qureshi, inexperienced individuals can potentially transmit life-threatening diseases such as HIV and other blood-related illnesses.

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In the Kashmir Valley, a practice that has long been discarded by modern science as a medical cure continues to persist. Despite the lack of scientific evidence, numerous individuals in the region opt to undergo bloodletting by leeches, believing it to be a remedy for a wide range of ailments. From swollen joints and headaches to frostbite and acne, these individuals place their hopes in the ancient practice, defying the advancements of contemporary medicine.