Integrating Western Medicine with Ayurveda in Sri Lanka: Innovative Approaches to the Holistic Management of Thalassemia

Abstract

Thalassemia is a common hereditary anaemia in Sri Lanka, posing significant clinical and economic challenges. Standard Western treatment with transfusions and iron chelation improves survival but has limitations, including iron overload, high costs, and limited curative options. Ayurveda offers holistic therapies, such as Pandurog Chikitsa, which utilizes herbal formulations like Triphaladi Avaleha and Dhatri Lauha, that may complement Western care by improving quality of life and reducing complications.This study proposes an integrative management model combining Western medicine, Ayurvedic therapy,and digital health tools. Methods included a literature review, simulated expert interviews, and development of a Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) -compatible electronic health record (EHR) prototype. Results confirm approximately 2,000 transfusion-dependent patients in Sri Lanka, withcarrier frequencies of 2.8% for β-thalassemia and up to 10% for α-thalassemia. Standard care challenges include mean ferritin levels often exceeding 2500 ng/mL and a significant budget impact. Ayurvedic adjuvant trials showed improved symptom control, slower ferritin rise, and modest extension of transfusion intervals by 3–5 days. The EHR prototype demonstrated the potential to integrate patient data across systems, but it also revealed gaps in the digital infrastructure. Integrating Ayurveda with moderncare could help manage transfusion side effects and improve holistic well-being, though challenges remain in evidence generation, policy support, practitioner training, and health IT integration. This model supports maintaining essential Western interventions while adding Ayurvedic supportive care, offering a feasible approach to enhance outcomes and serving as a potential blueprint for other chronic disease management in Sri Lanka.