Exclusive Interview with Dr Mansoor Ali K.R.
June 10, 2017 by Team Homeopathy 360
Dr Mansoor Ali. K.R is an Associate Professor at Govt. Homeopathic Medical College, Calicut and an Approved Practitioner at Ministry of Health, United Arab Emirates. He is a leading practitioner from Calicut. He took his BHMS and MD from Govt. Homeopathic Medical College Calicut and joined in the same institute in 2006. The Homeopathic fraternity knows him as the director and chief editor of the largest website on homeopathic education and research Similima.com and Homeobook.com. He has attended and presented papers in several states, national and international conferences.
He has conducted various workshops and training programmes for BHMS students, internees, Govt. medical officers, teachers and practitioners across India. He is also a visiting lecturer, examiner, and question paper setter to many homeopathic institutions and Universities. He holds many honourable memberships as Board of studies of Homeopathy member to KUHS and Calicut University. He was honoured with National Award “Homoeo Sree” for the contribution to Homeopathic education through web based learning and teaching in 2011.
Dr Abha ( ED ): Sir, how was your initial foray into the world of Homoeopathy? What were your experiences in Homoeopathy as a
student?
Dr Mansoor Ali ( MA ): I am living in the city of Calicut in Kerala state,
a city famous for homoeopathy since long. Even during childhood, all my family members took homoeopathy treatment from our neighbouring doctor. I took my BHMS and MD in repertory from Govt. homeopathy medical college Calicut. During my graduation, I was fascinated by the busy OPDs of our teachers like Dr Esmail Sait, Dr KB Rameshan, Dr Abdul Latheef, Dr Abdurahiman etc. They are not only experts in homoeopathy but also in the practice of medicine and accessory managements. Patients from the neighbouring districts and states were treated by these famous teachers. I also wanted to be a famous practitioner like them – my greatest ambition at that time.
ED: What is the methodology you adopt for your homoeopathic practice?
MA: I am extensively using modern techniques in my private practice
and in the OPD and IPD of Govt. Homeopathy Medical College. Calicut. I have softwares like Radar Opus, Hompath wildfire, ISIS, Complete dynamics, Similimum ultra etc. Since each of these has their own uniqueness – we need more than one software. I think homoeopathy along with accessory management offers excellent results. Accessory managements like IV, Catheterisation, Dialysis, Physiotherapy etc. are not the monopoly of any medical system. I repertorise both acute and chronic diseases extensively – repertory is an unavoidable, user friendly tool in the management of acute diseases that offers excellent and reliable results. I think the credibility of a homoeopathic doctor depends on his ability in the management of acute diseases. But the frequent change of remedy and unnecessary repetitions may spoil the acute cases. My prescription is mainly based on Kentian method while accepting the merits of different classical and modern schools of thought in homoeopathy.
ED: Which book has influenced you the most and why?
MA: It is difficult to give the name of a single book – I have an extensive library in my home that contains classical books to modern books. Organon of medicine is our user manual, without a clear understanding of that book; it is very difficult to succeed in homoeopathy. I am impressed by the Boericke’s Materia Medica, Lesser writings of Hahnemann and Kent, The spirit of Homoeopathy by Rajan sankaran, The science of Homoeopathy by Vithoulkas, Synthesis repertory, Hutchison’s Clinical methods etc.
ED: You have written a few books for novice Homoeopaths to successfully start their Practice. What inspired you to write these books?
MA: We must support the new generation doctors to earn their bread and butter and reputation. Without good salary, good earnings or social status nobody will come to any profession. We are the largest placement provider in homoeopathy through our website www.homeobook.com The new generation doctors should be taught to have qualities to survive in the future. It’s challenging to start homeopathic practice today, but if young doctors want to become successful, they need to start thinking of themselves in a different way – who can utilize technology far more cleverly than established doctors, in order to attract more patients. I have been teaching these topics to the undergraduate and postgraduate students of the Govt. Homeopathy Medical College Calicut since few years – this topic is also incorporated in the Repertory syllabus of Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS).
The major articles written by me in this area that available on our website -www.homeobook.com are:
• How to set up a clinic
• Before starting a clinic- some basic tips
• Video tutorials on accessory management for medical professionals
• How to setup an online homeopathy consultation/ clinic?
• How to promote your clinic/ hospital for getting more patients?
• What happened to homeopathy lady doctors
In the last few years, more women doctors graduated from homeopathy medical college than men but that was not reflected in the number of practicing doctors. Why?
We analyzed the facts and given some effective suggestion in the above article. Research in Homeopathy: All Homeopaths should attain knowledge about the modern research protocol, methodology, diagnostic tools, follow-up criteria and disease management. This will help us to be at par with the current medical research practices.
ED: As an Associate Professor, what’s your biggest challenge in this role?
MA: Primary school students were taught by PG teachers who had training in B.Ed. or MEd institutes with NET or SET. But in homeopathy we have no such teaching courses, after graduation or post-graduation; we are directly recruited to the teaching profession, even without testing aptitude in teaching. Acute shortage of dedicated and competent faculty is one of the challenges faced by the homeopathic institutions in India. As per the CCH syllabus, a student has to spend 4500 hours inside the classroom during his BHMS course. Utilised it effectively? Students and teachers must introspect.
A good homeopathy teacher should be a good practitioner. The quality of teaching is directly linked with quality of patient care. The majority of the teachers have no faith in Homeopathy. At the same time, teachers blame the students that they are not sincere, dedicated and honest in practicing homeopathy.
A teacher without clinical skills or practice will not arouse faith of the students especially if he is teaching clinical subjects. We have to demonstrate homeopathy in our IPD and OPD. Always remember that students will not believe in what you say but what you do. It is the desire of every student that, their teacher will give them some meaningful learning experience – that will help them to fight challenges in the life.
The life of a student of homeopathy and future of homeopathy are in the hands of teachers. Teachers must have good vision, loyalty, and dedication. Only teachers can raise the standard of homeopathy. But the sad story is that many of the homeopathic medical colleges are giving comparatively less salary to teachers. That results in dissatisfaction among faculty. Can you expect a motivational class without paying a handsome salary? “A lamp can never light another lamp unless it continuous to burn its own flame. So also a teacher never truly teaches unless he is still teaching himself.” Rabindra Nath Tagore.
Unfortunately, teachers are not reading much. Even though we are taking classes on a prescribed syllabus, it must have some modifications and advancement every year – including the mannerisms and humour. The majority of the teachers used to teach the same topic, with same notes/slides, throughout their service tenure. Instead of feeding the students with standardized textbook based knowledge, teachers should insist on inquisitive learning, real thirst for self-learning. Teachers should be facilitators for self-learning than dictators of pre- fabricated notes.
ED: Is this field growing enough so that there’s room for growing number of Homoeopathic graduates?
MA: Surely, enough place for more homoeopathy graduates. Just see
the placement and practice analysis given below. Number of students passing out from different systems every year
BHMS : 12,000
MBBS : 60,000
BAMS : 15265
Lesser number of doctors in homoeopathy – So more placement options and more chance in private practice. Remember, private practice is the best option than any other job – that give you more social reputation and financial stability. Don’t worry about the ever increasing number of doctors – India has 6000 births in a minute.
ED: Which system is best for private practice and job?
MA: Allopathy ? – At least, MD requires – 11 years of study Ayurveda ? – More quacks, cost of medicine too high Dental ? – Cost of clinic too high, lesser number of patients Homeopathy ? – The cost of clinic and medicines – comparatively less, earn immediately after BHMS. The regular enhancement of knowledge and recent advances in the medical treatment by attending CMEs and lectures will give you more confidence as well as credibility. In addition, specialty based courses will improve acumen and competency.
ED: As you know, the theme of this Issue is Acid group in Materia Medica. How well it is suited in cancer and psychiatric cases?
MA: We used Carbolic acid in cancer stomach with loss of appetite, with constant nausea and eructation Mur acid with extreme weakness of cancer.
ED: Many therapeutic failures are due to the myriad use of some form of Camphor in day to day life in Indian households. How to combat this problem?
MA: I think the medicine will act, if it is similimum, even though the patient is using camphor, alcohol, tobacco etc. But we have to restrict the use by giving proper advice at the time of prescription.
ED: What are your plans for contribution to the development of homoeopathy, how far have you been able to achieve them?
MA: I am thinking beyond conventional boundaries – endeavors to create an environment that promote learning while nurturing the professional and personal growth of homeopathy students, teachers, and professionals. So designed most dependable, dedicated, informative, updated, well-planned website www.homeobook.com that serves as a credible platform for the exchange of information among homoeopathic fraternity. Nearly 1.5 lakh medical professionals visiting this website every month.
Our aim is to create competent and confident homeopaths by providing quality teaching and learning materials. Our meritorious service by providing precise, self-sufficient and up to date study materials to aspirants of competitive exams, career and placement are unparalleled. We already have more than 5000 PowerPoint presentations from Anatomy to repertory, question papers of various competitive examinations in homoeopathy across the globe and nearly 5000 good quality articles on various aspects of homoeopathy.
Our future plans
• A mobile app which is under testing.
• Shopping cart for medicines, books, and softwares
• Converting Homeobook as an Open Access Peer reviewed/ indexed , ACAP-enabled journal
• We would like to be a real guide, friend and supporter for homeopaths at every stage of their journey.
ED: Your view as to how can the Indian Government at the centre can patronize Homoeopathy?
MA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created a separate ministry for AYUSH with Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) and Health and Family Welfare, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik – who is excellently supporting homoeopathy.
Currently, we have 2,24,279 homeopathy doctors, 7856 Govt. dispensaries and 207 of Govt. hospitals providing homoeopathy treatment in India.
This Ministry introduced Homoeopathy in 5 railway hospitals.
Decided to set up integrated AYUSH hospitals and colleges in all states.
Several Public Health initiatives based on Homoeopathy taken up by the Indian Government recently.
Integration of Homoeopathy for a healthy child with Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) launched by Govt. of India.
The programme Homeopathy for Healthy teething which is a component of Homeopathy for healthy child was launched in the month of January 2015 at 6 identified districts (Gautam Budh Nagar, Palghar, Gorakhpur, Kamrup, Cuttack and Delhi)
Integrating of AYUSH systems (Homoeopathy) in National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) at two districts Krishna, Andhra Pradesh and Darjeeling, West Bengal, wherein lifestyle disorder clinics are set up at 16 CHCs.
Swasthya Rakshan program has been launched which is being undertaken through 11 institutes adopting 55 villages under the Council. The local population is being provided health care at their doorstep.
India offering scholarships for Homoeopathy study to more foreign Countries
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated a new AYUSH Wellness Clinic and a restored Clock Tower in Schedule ‘B’ area of the President’s Estate t (July 25, 2015) to mark the completion of the third year of his Presidency.
Indian Army decided to appoint Homoeopathy Doctors in four army hospitals — Base Hospital in Delhi Cantt, Military Hospital in Jalandhar and Command Hospitals at Chandi mandir and Pune.
The Union Cabinet on Feb 2016, gave its approval to an agreement between the Ministry of AYUSH and WHO for the development of Homoeopathy and Ayurveda.
Under this ministry, more homoeopaths across the country got appointed as Medical officers under various national schemes with comparatively good salary.
Homoeopathy needs more placements in various sectors, more research centers especially that collaborate interdisciplinary research, quality education with more specialties including Ph.D.courses.
Download the print version of the interview in Homoeopathic Heritage
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