The quality of the Ayurveda Hospital was overshadowed by the hospital’s poor administration and badly managed cafeteria (canteen)
My husband and I visited the hospital for Ayurveda treatment in November 2025. While we truly appreciate the expertise and care provided by Dr. Vijayan Nangelil, Dr. Vijith V. Nangelil, and Dr. Jaya Vijayan, our overall stay was affected by several administrative and hygiene-related issues that need serious attention.
Concerns During Our Stay:
1. Room & Hygiene Concerns
The bathroom had a strong sewage smell that persisted throughout our stay and was overlooked by the housekeeping staff. Our room was not ready when we arrived. No hand soap was provided, and the towels given to us were old and looked like they were old rugs from the treatment room. Overall housekeeping and room preparation did not meet basic expectations.
2. Poor Administrative & PRO Support
We did not receive a printed daily treatment schedule until we specifically asked for one. No one from the administration or PRO team checked in with us at any point to ask whether we had any questions or concerns. Staff appeared indifferent and irresponsible, which affected the comfort of our stay.
3. Cafeteria (Canteen) Hygiene & Food Quality
The food served was far below acceptable hygiene standards for any healthcare institution. The food hygiene was extremely poor. Meals were served on low-quality plastic plates that did not meet basic health standards. These plates are not suitable for a hospital environment, as they accumulate germs over time and cannot be properly sanitized.
On one occasion, evening snacks were served on thin napkins instead of a clean plate, and the oil seeped through onto the table (picture attached).
The food quality was disappointing and I became sick after one day of eating from the canteen. We eventually had to order food from outside, and even then, no one from the administration showed concern or offered help. We personally shared our concerns with Dr. Vijith, but many of these issues require administrative improvement at the leadership level.
Suggestions for Improvement:
To ensure patient safety and comfort especially for international patients who come from far and are expecting a quality experience.
I recommend the following:
1. Improve Room & Bathroom Maintenance.
• Clean and treat bathroom drainage systems to eliminate persistent odor. •Ensure rooms are fully prepared before patients arrive.
2. Provide Proper Patient Amenities
• Use a separate set of high-quality towels for inpatient rooms (not the same ones used in treatment areas).
• Ensure basic items like hand soap are always available.
3. Strengthen PRO & Administrative Support
• The PRO team should meet patients from Day 1 to check on their comfort, answer questions, and address concerns promptly.
4. Train Junior Doctors & Nurses on Patient Communication
• Staff should clearly explain the purpose of each oral medication instead of simply dropping them off without information because patients have the right to know before they consume medication.
5. Provide a Daily Treatment Schedule
• Give every patient a clear schedule outlining treatments and timings to avoid confusion.
6. Upgrade Cafeteria Hygiene & Food Standards
• The cafeteria must follow proper healthcare hygiene protocols and cater to international patients.
• Staff should be trained in safe food handling and cleanliness.
• It would be helpful to provide a list of recommended outside restaurants in case patients prefer external food options.