Bhopal, September 02, 2025 :
Staff and beneficiaries of the Sambhavna Trust Clinic gathered for a vibrant cultural event on Monday to celebrate the facility’s 29th anniversary, highlighting its enduring commitment to providing free medical care to victims of the 1984 Union Carbide gas tragedy.
Since opening its doors on September 2, 1996, the clinic has treated 37,518 individuals exposed to the toxic chemicals released during what remains the world’s worst industrial disaster. The nonprofit integrates traditional Indian healing practices with modern medicine to address chronic health issues stemming from the exposure.
Dr. Usha Arya, a physician at the clinic, emphasized the tailored approach: “In our clinic, medical care is customized for those affected by exposure to chemical poisons. In our treatment protocols, we integrate Ayurveda, Panchakarma, and Yoga with modern medicine. Such an approach has proven to be more effective in providing sustained relief from chronic conditions caused by toxic exposure and bringing down medicine intake.”
Ayurveda specialist Dr. Raghuram B pointed to the clinic’s success in managing prevalent conditions among survivors. “Sambhavna Clinic’s records clearly demonstrate that autoimmune diseases such as Psoriasis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Rheumatoid Arthritis are more prevalent among survivors of the gas disaster,” he said. “Through Ayurveda care, we have successfully treated hundreds of individuals with these diagnoses. Likewise, we have too many survivors of the gas disaster visiting us with damaged kidneys (nephropathy); they too get better with Ayurveda.”
The clinic’s in-house computerized Medical Information System (MIS) plays a crucial role in tracking and improving outcomes. Database administrator Premchand explained: “We have developed the software for data storage and processing ourselves, and we use it for assessment of treatment response, refining of treatment protocols, and monitoring manifestations of toxic exposure. Analysis of our database shows that in addition to respiratory illnesses, diseases of the nervous, endocrine, and reproductive system continue to be several times higher among survivors of the gas disaster compared to unexposed individuals.”
Beyond clinical care, Sambhavna extends its reach into community health. Kamal Yadav of the Awareness Committee detailed these efforts: “Most of the Ayurvedic medicines dispensed at the clinic are manufactured at the clinic itself. The herbal ingredients for the medicines are grown in the clinic’s 2-acre garden without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Sambhavna’s Community Health Workers visit communities daily to bring down TB, eliminate Malaria and Dengue, and improve community health in a population of over 30,000. Staff also collect health information from over one hundred thousand individuals to document long-term health impact of toxic exposure.”
In a recent expansion, the clinic broadened its services to include younger generations affected by the disaster’s legacy. Registration assistant Nitesh Dubey noted: “Expanding the scope of treatment at Sambhavna Trust Clinic, free treatment has been started for children of gas-affected parents who are above 15 years of age from March 2025. Along with this, free treatment has been started for children between 5 and 15 years of age for some common problems through Ayurveda and Yoga.”
The Sambhavna Trust has earned recognition for its work, receiving three international awards and one regional honor. Operating solely on donations from thousands of ordinary individuals, the clinic receives no funding from corporations, governments, or agencies, ensuring its independence in serving the Bhopal community.
