Scope of Homoeopathy in Pakistan

Dr Mansoor Ali

National Council for Homeopathy
Under Ministry of Health Government of Pakistan
National Council for Homoeopathy is entrusted to educate homoeopathic students and groom their talent in the field of medical science with a view to provide health facility to people and to promote homoeopathic knowledge and thought among the general public in Pakistan and abroad.

This Board of Homeopathic System of Medicine working under the Ministry of Health, was, in 1982, renamed the National Council for Homeopathy. This council is now responsible for conducting examinations, approving new homeopathic colleges, and registering practitioners.
Web site : http://www.nchpakistan.com/regs.htm

Homeopathic Education :
In Pakistan, there are two types of courses are running.
DHMS under the supervision of NCH and BHMS under the auspices of Universities of Pakistan.
NCH issues registration / license certificates to both candidates for allowing homeopathic practice.
Under the Act, the examinations in all the recognised Homeopathic medical institutions are conducted by the Board in accordance with the Government approved syllabus.

The D.H.M.S. Diploma is conferred by the Board on those students who qualify for the Diploma after a four-year course.

The Board has also recommended to the Government to start the following courses:
1. A Degree Course of 5 years
2. A Post-graduate Course of one year after Degree Course.
These courses will be introduced as and when the amendments are passed in the National Assembly.
List of NCH approved Colleges : http://www.nchpakistan.com/college1.htm

Opportunities
The National Health Laboratories at Islamabad, has a homoeopath research officer working in collaboration with the experts of the other systems of medicine.
The State Life Insurance Corporation, Oil and Gas Corporation and other Corporate Bodies have appointed homoeopaths on their panel of doctors.

Any MBBS (MD) doctor may legally practice homeopathy if he can satisfy the council that he has done six-months of apprenticeship in the field. There are a number of MBBS (MD) doctors practicing homeopathy.

Government hospitals also employ homeopaths.

There are hundreds of free Government dispensaries in the provinces

Pharmacy
There are a number of local homeopathic manufacturing pharmacies. Most medicines are available in all standard potencies and many of them up to CM. All drugs except psychotropics and opiates are freely available without a doctor’s prescription

Homeopathy is officially recognised by the Government of Pakistan. There are 12.714 registered and 965 enlisted Homeopaths in Pakistan.

History of Homeopathy in Pakistan
Before independence, during British rule, Homeopathic, Unani and Ayurvedic act was passed in 1937 in Indo-Pak subcontinent with the efforts of many prominent personalities

The City of Lahore in Pakistan has the privilege of being the first city of undivided India, where Homoeopathy was introduced by Dr. J. M. Honigberger, a German Physician.

Although there were a number of homoeopathic associations during that period in India, the first All-India Homoeopathic Medical Association was formed in 1932. The first Congress session was held in Calcutta, second in Bombay and the third at Madras. In 1936 it met in Agra where it was decided that the homoeopaths should struggle for State recognition. This Congress also decided to register the homoeopaths of India. Dr. Goswami from Mathura was nominated as the Registrar. Dr. Ghazi, Dr. Masood and Dr. Nami were nominated to authenticate the applicants from the provinces of the Punjab and the Frontier.

The Homoeopathic Bill was placed for the first time before Pakistan Legislative Assembly by Syed Noor Ahmed on 5th Jan 1950.In 1951 the Government appointed a Health Committee.

The Government of Pakistan officially recognized homoeopathy in 1965 and the Board of Homoeopathic System of Medicine was established under the Unani Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic Practitioners’ Act. 1965 (II of 1965).

PROCEDURE FOR GETTING REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
(LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR HOMOEOPATHIC PRACTITIONERS)
1. Obtain prescribed Performa from NCH office or any homoeopathic medical college.
2. Fill the required field with your own hand writing in BLOCK LETTERS.
3. Attach your fourth year marks sheet and DHMS or BHMS certificate.
4. Deposit NCH Registration Certificate Fee and attach draft original copy with your application. Keep the photocopy of draft with you for record.
5. Attach six months internship completion certificate duly signed by homeopathic practitioner or MS of the college homeopathic hospital or dispensary where you dispensed your duties.
6. Attach photocopy of National Identity Card.
6. Fix your latest passport size photo and also attach three separate passport size photograph with application.
6. Endorse your Signature at application proforma and send at NCH office as registered post.

Note: The Registration Certificate (License) is issued for four years. During this period, NCH has the right to observe the practice of license holder. NCH has also right to cancel Registration of any practitioner with or without notice. On expiry of Registration Certificate the practitioner can submit request on appropriate application form for renewal of license by paying requisite fee / amount.

Pakistan Homoeopathic Research Council (PHRC)
H/Dr Saleem Baig
President (PHRC)
H.No437
Sector C-1 Block-1
Town Ship
Lahore PAKISTAN
tel 92-042-5117797
Email :  phrc786@etaleem.com

Source :
National Council for Homeopathy. Pakistan
Pakistan Homeopathic Research Council
Daily Times Pakistan