Career options in Homoeopathy

Ranjan K Baruah *

We have published on Indian Medicine as career options. This time we are going to publish career options related to another alternative medicine which is known as Homoeopathy. Homoeopathy is a system of alternative medicine created in 1796 by Samuel Hahnemann, based on his doctrine of like cures like, according to which a substance that causes the symptoms of a disease in healthy people will cure similar symptoms in sick people. There is no doubt that many of us had visited homoeopathy doctors when were small.

The history of Homoeopathy in India is linked with the name of Dr. Honigberger, a French man who brought homoeopathy to India. He was attached to the Court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He arrived at Lahore in 1829-1830 and was later invited to treat Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab, who happened to be seriously ill of paralysis of vocal cord with swelling of feet and native physicians were unable to improve his health in 1839.

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced almost all over the world. In India it has become a household name due the safety of its pills and gentleness of its cure. A rough study states that about 10% of the Indian population solely depend on Homoeopathy for their Health care needs and is considered as the Second most popular system of medicine in the Country. It is more popular amongst children in our region as many child are taken to homeopathy doctors.

Students willing to make homoeopathy as a career can take up education at first degree and postgraduate degree levels. The first course, which gives a Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS) degree, is available in many colleges affiliated to various universities. An aspirant must also have qualified 10+2 examination in science with Biology as an optional. Homeopathy, like any other regular medical course, requires five and a half years medical training. This also includes one year of compulsory internship.

CCRH/CCH: Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) was established as an autonomous organisation in 1978, under the Dept. of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India. Primarily a research body, CCRH has a multi-dimensional approach to research and its varied research activities include 'Survey, collection and cultivation of medicinal plants', 'Drug standardisation', 'Drug proving', 'Clinical verification' and 'Clinical research'. Central Council of Homoeopathy is a statutory body of Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Department of AYUSH and it deals with the colleges in different parts of the country.

Aspirants should not feel frustrated if they don't get into MBBS or BDS courses as alternate medicine also gives opportunities in the society and research in the field might bring more scopes in the future. We need strategy to be successful in life and everything is possible with authentic information and proper planning.

Opportunity for Law Graduate: Centre for Social Justice has announced the Young Professionals Programme for Legal Empowerment (YPPLE). YPPLE is designed to strengthen the capacities of young legal professionals to research issues of access to justice, and design interventions using law as an instrument for social change at the grassroots level. Those interested must send their applications latest by 20th September, 2015.