Homoeopathy: Is it an alternative?

Homoeopathy: Is it an alternative?

The Govt. of Assam through the Director of Medical Education, Assam advertised for courses in Homoeopathy which was DHMS (Diploma in Homoeopathic Medicine & Surgery), many came, studied, completed and registered themselves as registered doctors under BHSM (Board of Homoeopathic System of Medicine), Assam which is recognised under the CCH (Central Council of Homoeopathy), GOI.

The Govt. of Assam as well as the Director of Medical Education & Director of Health Services, Assam never thought about the future course of these not less than 800 professionals.

In due course some of the DHMS professionals got bachelor degree (graded) from outside the state universities such as from Bihar, UP etc. Now the poorer section of these DHMSes could not get themselves upgraded to graduate level as these facilities are not available in the state and for the matter of its cost.

Who will think about these neglected physicians? Now some of them are established in their self made clinics all over the state and rendering their duty to the mass. But the sorry state of this situation is that the Govt. in general and the department of Health in particular is neglecting their duty of thinking about these professionals out of Govt. institutions in Assam.

Now under the umbrella of NRHM all the health facilities have come in a converged package. As per the IPHS (Indian Public Health Standard) it is mandatory to mainstreaming AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha & Homoeopathy) facilities into the so called modern health care system (Allopathy: well advocated, imposed over and controlled by giant pharmaceutical MNCs).

As a step towards fulfilling the need, the NRHM, Assam appointed 200 nos. of Ayurvedic Physicians (BAMS) only forgetting the other streams available in AYUSH.

And it is also not understood why the NRHM, Assam is asking requirement from the district health authorities about demand of public to employ only 50 nos. of Homoeopathic physicians as Medical Officer. The difference of remuneration for the health professionals is also not justified. While the MBBS are getting Rs. 20,000/- the BAMS are getting Rs. 15,000/- only and the BHMS are advertised to be remunerated by Rs. 13,000/- only. Who gave the NRHM, Assam this authority to de-escalate these professions by means of honorarium?

As per the IPHS it is also mandatory to have at least one AYUSH MO in every institution of health care facilities above the Sub Centre level and also one pharmacist of AYUSH stream.

The honourable young, dynamic Minister of Health & Family Welfare Dr. Himanta Biswa Sharma should look into the matter a little bit seriously.