Development of Homoeopathy in Malaysia – Opportunities and challenges

Development of Homoeopathy in Malaysia 

Dr ZAINUL AZMI BIN AHMAD DHMS, RHMP
Hon. Master T&CM (Homeopathy)
President, Malaysian Homeopathic Medical Council 

Introduction 

1. Malaysia is situated in South East Asia. It got its independence from the British on 31th  August 1957.
2. It consist of 14 states with a multi-ethnic population. Estimated to be 34.3 million in 2020.
3. Its healthcare is manage by the Ministry of Health and basing on the modern system of medicine.
4. Before the advent of the Europeans colonialist, traditional medicine of different ethnic groups are largely practice. The Malays, Chineses, Indians and other ethnic groups so as to mention.

PHASES OF DEVELOPMENT

1. PHASE 1 1925 -1969 ( 44 years )

• Homeopathy was introduced in the state of Sabah in East Malaysia by Father John Quinn a Jesuit priest in 1925. He was also a homeopath trained in England.
• Colonel Azim S. Rajah a British Indian Military officer introduced homeopathy in the state of Johor , Peninsular Malaysia , in 1928 by setting up a homeopathic clinic and in Singapore in 1933. 
• Both of them did not  established a training or teaching centre.
• It was Dr Burhanudeen Al Helmi , a local and also an adopted son of Colonel Azim started practice and giving tutorials to the locals. He also set up the first homeopathic college in 1965 in the state of Perak. This college was closed after his death in 1969.
• He also set up the first homeopathic association. That is The Malaysian Homeopathic Medical Association in 1963.
• After the death of Burhanudeen, his students started to set up homeopathy clinics in different states in Malaysia.

2. PHASE 2 – 1970 –  2000 ( 30 years)

• The Ministry of Health has the bigger vision of integrating Traditional and Complementary Medicine in the Primary Healthcare. This is in view of the WHO policy of Health for All.
• In the 1990’s  effort has been taken to ensure its success.
• Homeopathy is categorised as a complementary system of medicine in Malaysia.    

During this phase some notable developments are :

• • Homeopathic Associations : 4 major associations.
  • Homeopathic clinics : No available data( estimated to be 200 with majority of them practicing in their homes)
  • Homeopathic recognised institutions by the Goverment: None. (conducted by associations or individuals )
• Number of practitioners : estimated to be around 1500 practitioners.
• Homeopathic Manufacturing facility : 1
• Importers and distributors of homeopathic medicines : 2
• Statutory Regulations for Homeopathy : Nil

The setting up of the Standing Committee for T&CM by the MOH(1998) during this time facilitate the growth of homeopathy systematically.

3. PHASE 3- 2001 – 2015 ( 14 years )

In this phase a lot of policies and guidelines are introduce by the MOH and other Ministries. The Government is having a vision of integrating T&CM in the Primary Health Care. The notable developments are:

• National Policy on Traditional and Complementary Medicine 2001
• The Malaysian National Medical Policy (MNMP) 2007 

Guidelines on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Traditional Medicines and Health Supplements –First Edition 2008. 

• General Guidelines for The Registration of Homeopathic Products October 2010 (Revised 2013). Exemption of the Single Homeopathic Dilution from the Poison Act. (2010)
• Strategy of Traditional and Complementary Medicine in Primary Healthcare ( 2013)
• Private Higher Educational Institutions Act –Act 1996-Act 555

Malaysian Qualifying Agency Act 679 2007 

Achievements

1. Malaysian Homeopathic Medical Council (MHMC) – 2000-established (Government Initiative)
2. BHMS program at University of Cyberjaya (Formerly Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences-CUCMS) 2010 – First university in ASEAN REGION to offer a homeopathic Bachelors program. 1^st cohort of graduates in 2014
3. Bachelor in Homeopathy -Lincoln University College,(LUC) 2^nd university to offer homeopathy degree program in 2019.
4. Darulaman Homeopathic Laboratories (Homeolab) – 2000 –first homeopathic manufacturing facilities in the country and Asean Region.
5. 1^st International Conference on Homeopathy, Kuala Lumpur – ICHOM- 2011( Co organised by Ministry of Health Malaysia and Malaysian Homeopathic Medical Council)
6. Collaboration between Ministry of Health and Malaysian Homeopathic Medical Council

4. PHASE 4  2016 – 

• Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act 775 2016 

• Traditional and Complementary Medicine Blue Print 2018-2027 ( 2018)

Challenges and Opportunities

CHALLENGES

1. These challenges must be viewed with the overall health background of the country.

• • Malaysia is expected to have a population of 34.3 million by 2020.
  • Life expectancy in Male 72.3 years old and Female 77.2 years old.
  • It will become an ageing population by 2035 with 15% of its population aged more than 65 years old.

Principal Causes of Death.

• • Ischaemic Heart diseases 13.9%- 37 deaths per day due to        ischaemic heart disease.
  • Pneumonia 12.7%
  • Cerebrovascular Disease 7.1%
  •  Transport Accidents 4.6%
  • Malignant neoplasm of trachea, brochus and lungs 2.3%  ( 2017)

• According to the 2015 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS), about two-thirds of Malaysians have at least one of three non–communicable diseases (NCDs), i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension) or high cholesterol levels (hypercholesterolaemia).Oct 10, 2018

NCD’s are estimated to account for 74% of all death. 

2. In the light of this background/scenario , it is a big challenge for homeopathy.

• • The government policy is an integrative healthcare. Whereby the T&CM practitioners including Homeopath can play a vital role with the other Healthcare Professionals (HCP). 

• • Understanding this concept and its implementation ensures success not only for homeopathy but also the government commitment in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by focussing on Enhanced Primary Healthcare Programs.

• To achieve this we have got to look on what resourses we have.
• It can be categorised as follows.

There are :

• Human Resources.
  • At present we have an estimated 1000 homeopaths. They will be registered during the 2nd phase of the T&CM Act by the following year. 
  • The present ratio of homeopaths to the population is 1000:34,000,000 or 1: 34,000

• Education
  • ➢Full Accreditation – BHMS :-

• • • University of Cyberjaya (since 2010) formerly known as CUCMS.
    • Total Graduate (till 2019) BHMS : 61                                                    
    • No of students for MSc Homeopathy by research : 14 ( 3 are international students)
    • No of Graduate Msc Homeopathy by research: 1
    • No of students for Phd Homeopathy by research : 3 (all are international students.

Provincial Accreditation- BHom:

• • • Lincoln University College. (started 2019) No data available.
    • Local Students scholarship : Nil
    • Official Local Homeopathic Journals: Nil

• Homeopathic premise/clinics/ hospitals:

• • Total number of Private Homeopathic  premise : 400
  • Total number of Private Homeopathic Hospitals : Nil
  • Total number of Government Homeopathic Clinics : Nil
  • Total number of Government Homeopathic Hospitals : Nil
  • Total number of Homeopath in Government Service : Nil

• Manufacturing and products.

• • No of full fledge Homeopathy Factories with GMP status : Nil
  • No of partial Homeopathy factories with GMP status : 1
  • No of Importers and distributors : 4
  • Number of product registration holders(foreign products): Nil
  • No of Exporters of Homeopathic Products: Nil
  • Product Registration Holders( local product only) : 1

Opportunities 

The vision of the Malaysian Homeopathic Medical Council is for Malaysia to be the Homeopathic Hub for the ASEAN Region the earliest in 2025 or 2050 the latest.

• Human resources.

• • To Increase the number of homeopath to at least a ratio of 1 : 10,000,
  • The number of undergraduates and postgraduates homeopath should be increase. 

    Expatriates homeopaths are welcome.

• • Competency of Homeopath must be enhanced so that they are competent enough to managed the NCD’s well. Better equipped to be part of the Integrative Healthcare Team.
  • They are the agents to create Homeopathy as the first choice treatment for the masses

• Manufacturing and Products.

• • Product Registration Holders of foreign homeopathic products must be increased.
  • Not only for the Malaysian Market but also the ASEAN market.
  • Export orientated manufacturers. Established manufacturers can set up new manufacturing facilities or relocating their existing facilities to Malaysia.
  • The market value of these homeopathic products is worth million of dollars

• Homeopathic premises.
  • They can operate as individual clinic or involve in the health tourism sector with other modalities.
  • Joint venture with countries with a more better regulations for setting up a homeopathic hospitals.  Eg India – Malaysia Homeopathic Hospital in India.

• Regional Organisation.
• Setting up the ASEAN HOMEOPATHY COMMITTEE/ ORGANISATION 

The challenges are formidable but the opportunities are enormous. With precise planning and implementation and also collaboration of interested parties within the statutory and national development framework , homeopathy can serve the people well. This in turn will enhance the achievement of the Universal Health Coverage and fortifying the primary healthcare.

To Know more about Homoeopathy in Malaysia
Visit : https://www.homeobook.com/category/scope-of-homeopathy/malaysia/