Health Watch- Doctors, Hospitals, Remedies
A Comprehensive Guide to Śrī Vṛndāvana Dhāma
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Overview
WARNING! Often doctors in Vrindavan try to convince foreigners to get expensive long-term treatment for stomach, liver and other disorders, that they do not need. It is a good idea to get a second opinion before buying expensive medicine.
An Ounce in Time
Most of the tap water in Vrindavan is dangerous to drink and tastes horrible. If you do drink water from the tap or a well, you should only drink water that you see the locals drinking. It is best to ask the locals what water is safe to drink.
Directly across the street from the ISKCON Temple there is a tap that many people drink from and usually do not get sick. This water tastes good and is suggested, if you choose to drink tap water. Also the water at MVT is supposed to be all right.
Simple Remedies
Doctors
There is a good Ayurvedic doctor on the road going to Banke Bihari Temple from Loi Bazaar, called Dr Narottama Lal Gupta. His son Liladhar Gupta, speaks English well and is also good. They also practice at their house at 502 Purana Bazaar (442-665; fax 443-914).
If you have jaundice (hepatitis) there is a good doctor in downtown Vrindavan who is a disciple of Shyamasakhi. One person told me that he was almost dead and was saved by this doctor. His house is down a side street right next to the STD phone on the road between Banke Bihari Temple and Loi Bazaar.
Across the street from the ISKCON temple at the pharmacy, Guptaji prescribes Ayurvedic medicines that I have found to be helpful with basic ailments, such as infections, cuts and basic stomach disorders.
Hospitals
Saraf Hospital, Bhaktivedanta Swami Rd (also called Chatikara Road), the road going out of town past the ISKCON Temple, and Ram Krishna Hospital are two places that can be used in an emergency. Better than these two places is Methodist Hospital in Mathura. If there is a serious illness it is highly suggested to go to a hospital in Delhi. For a long-term illness I recommend going to Delhi and seeing Dr Triguna or going to the Tibetan Clinic. Both places have been given good recommendation for being effective (see the Delhi section).