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WHO. Report On, Homeopathy Not A Cure


Homeopathic Journal :: Volume: 2, Issue: 10, Aug, 2009 (Issue of the Month)   -   from Homeorizon.com
Author : Dr. Anoop Kumar Srivastava, BHMS (Gold Medalist), MD(Hom), Director www.homeorizon.com, Consultant, Homeopathic Hospital, Government of U.P. (India)
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Article Updated: Aug 27, 2009


AND THE HAMMER STRIKES AGAIN !

W.H.O. Report On, Homeopathy Not A Cure

The recent report of WHO, the supreme health body condemning homeopaths from prescribing in cases of HIV, TB, & Malaria is a major setback to the position of homeopathy. In its report the officials claimed that there are not sufficient results to confirm the efficacy of Homeopathy in these life threatening illnesses. They also warned health workers and government against promotion of homeopathy in place of proven treatment. "Homeopathydoes not protect people from or treat these diseases".

Such reports and that too from WHO again brings Homeopaths to the witness stand. This news comes closely following recent attack of Health bodies against the promotion of Homeopathy. First it was the UK Parliamentary Report about complementary and alternative medicine of year 2000 and then the Aijing Shang and colleagues’ meta analysis of 110 placebo controlled trials of Aug 2005 and now the WHO declaration.

WHO IS BEHIND??

The Voice of young Science Network, which is a part of the charity Sense About Science is the body behind this uproar clearly states that , "We hope that by raising awareness of the WHO’s position on homeopathy we will be supporting those people who are taking a stand against these potentially disastrous practices."

We should not forget that earlier in 2003-2004 WHO had issued a draft on homeopathy, entitled 'Homeopathy: review and analysis of reports on controlled clinical trials' claimed that the "majority" of peer – reviewed scientific papers published over the past 40 years "have demonstrated that homeopathy is superior to placebo in placebo-controlled trials and is equivalent to conventional medicines in the treatment of illnesses, in both humans and animals". In response to which WHO was accused of being infiltrated by missionaries for alternative medicine by the conventional medics (allopaths).

This undoubtedly shows the planned strategy against the growing popularity of Homeopathy.

BUT WHY??

It is too irresponsible on the part of WHO to publish such a report without even considering the benefits of Homeopathy. WHO seems to have made no attempts at all to check the truth behind the claims of Voice of young Science Network or to assess the treatment policies or the results Homeopaths are giving in treating patients with a wide range of conditions.

How could such a supreme body as WHO overlook the success reports and projects of homeopathy and let it be guided by a single letter from Voice of young Science Network.

Large number of body of evidences have been found supporting the effectiveness of homeopathy which is strange as it seems being overlooked by WHO authorities. To enlisting some of these:

  • A recent high quality trial by the prestigious, WHO qualified facility, the Finlay Institute in Cuba, involving two and a half million people, found homoeopathy to be extremely effective in the prevention of Leptospirosis (Dr. Concepción Campa Huergo report to Finlay Institute ‘Nosodes 2008 conference' December 2008, to be published).
  • A trial conducted by Quebec homoeopathy organization in partnership with McGill University in Honduras found homoeopathy effective in preventing and treating parasitic Chagas disease (Martine Jourde report to Finlay Institute ‘Nosode 2008 conference' December 2008).
  • A pilot study in Ghana showing homoeopathic treatment equal to and slightly more effective than chloroquine in the treatment of acute malaria (Br Homoeopath J 1996 Apr;85(2):66-70).
  • The Stanford study treating tuberculosis in HIV patients resulted in significant improvement in patients receiving homeopathic immunotherapy (Stanford, Comm Br Hom Res Grp Dec 1992 22 30-9).

Furthermore, the WHO authorities have ignored the rich and well documented history of homoeopathy's success in treating major worldwide epidemics of cholera, influenza (including the 1918 epidemic), yellow fever and many other serious epidemics.

Homeopathy as a system of therapeutics has fast emerged as a medicine of the masses and is progressing towards a better future. We have given miraculous results and provided challenging cures in the developing countries in spite of low funding by research organisaions. As we know success is often met with profound criticism. So this controversy and commotion was expected.

The same view was expressed by Dr Ross of society of homeopathy when she aptly answered that "it is just another poorly wrapped attempt to discredit homeopathy by sense about the science".

TIME TO PONDER

The other side of the picture is that it is a time to Introspect. Other than being a political gimmick have we ever given it a thought that why are we facing such accusations and that too on a regular basis?

Their claim is that we have no objective results to prove that homeopathy is of any benefit in these diseases. Today it is about HIV, Malaria & T.B., tomorrow the list will be lengthen and resultant effect – We will be limited to mere cold, cough, sneezing and bodyaches.

Is this our dream? Have we toiled the prime years of our life to treat these mild illnesses. The answer is a mighty NO. this is not just about the diseases we cure this is about limiting our Horizons, it is about clipping our wings. It is not just about us – It is about the status of homeopathy.

SO WHAT WE CAN DO??

First of all we should unite and stand against these continuous assaults. The longer they continue they will affect our reputation and eventually us. Those of us who still believe that by keeping mum the cloud will pass should better go through the report of falling homeopathic practice in UK http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7523302.stm

So there is a need of forgetting mutual clashes and standing up for the higher cause. This is not about shouting or rallying, it is about giving them the answer in black and white for ACTION SPEAKS BETTER THAN WORDS.

So instead of condemning and cross accusations we should give them a befitting reply. They ask for effective results and we will provide them the same. Some noteworthy measures needed are-

  1. 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.
  2. Homeopaths should undertake disease oriented research on modern research protocol and prepare proper documentation of the same.
  3. We should get all authentic research works published in reputed scientific/ medical journals and news letters. This testifies our projects and work.
  4. Moreover instead of proclaiming our superiority we should give the results. In the ongoing H1N1 flu outburst, some of us claimed that homeopathic medicines can prevent as well as treat H1N1 (Swine Flu). The question is how many of us have proven authentic clinical data of the same which we can share with the world. It is not about hypothesis’ it is about someone’s life. Such tall talks on our part should be avoided; unless and until we prove a theory we should not claim it. It may seem flashy but what if a person dies under homeopathic treatment? What then? Homeopathy would have to suffer for your deeds. These faulty claims denigrate the status of homeopathy.
    So instead of claims publish the report. This would not only advertise your efficiency but also bring stars to homeopathy.
  5. And the most important of all, unite all lovers and supporters of homeopathy and organize camps and seminars for the promotion of homeopathy. It is the public support which the want to deprive us from and the same we have increase.

RISE AND STANDS BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE


Dear friends, it is the time for all of us to accept the gravity of situation and take appropriate measures. It is time for all of us to stand in support of the system we believe in- Homeopathy. It is time to work together to remove the blemishes from the face of homeopathy and outshine all criticism.

I do accept that with our dedicated efforts and united endeavors not only will answer all accusations but also take homeopathy to the heights it deserves.

"Homeopathy, like the candle-stick of the Hebrew tabernacle, has been shaped by hammering, not by casting."

So the story continues........ .

If you wish to share your comments and views on the same with Homeopaths all over the world, comment on this article and also send them to info@homeorizon.com


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hello sir, i am a homoeopathic doctor, practicing for 1yr. i read the article "who report on, homoeopathic not a cure" i appreciate ur response to this attack ,it is very nice reply, thought provoking atricle. i agree with u, we should unite,stand against these assaults. with all good wishes
  Comment by: dr.lipika mohapatra, India.    on Nov 11, 2010 0 Agree  |  0 Disagree       Report Abuse

hello sir, i am a homoeopathic doctor, practicing for 1yr. i read the article "who report on, homoeopathic not a cure" i appreciate ur response to this attack ,it is very nice reply, thought provoking atricle. i agree with u, we should unite,stand against these assaults. with all good wishes
  Comment by: dr.lipika mohapatra, India.    on Nov 11, 2010 1 Agree  |  0 Disagree       Report Abuse

Sense about Science are an industry lobby group. http://www.monbiot.com/archives/2003/12/09/invasion-of-the-entryists/ Clarification on the WHO statement http://www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/coffeehouse-chat-514/news-current-affairs-topical-discussion-12/319391-who-warns-against-homeopathy-use.html Here is the reply I got from WHO this morning when I asked them if this was an official statement from them. As you will see, it is NOT. Dear Mary, The two quotes in the BBC news item from WHO officials on the WHO not recommending homeopathy for the treatment of tuberculosis and diarrhoea are accurate, and were in response to questions about whether the WHO recommended the use of homeopathy for these conditions. However, the WHO has not issued any formal statement on homeopathy. Best wishes Thomas Abraham Department of Communications Director General's Office World Health Organization 20 Avenue Appia CH-1211 Geneva 27 Switzerland Phone: +41 22 791 3982 Mobile: + 41 795 163136 I also emailed the BBC to complain that the article (which has now been re-titled and re-written) as it was inaccurately saying the this was a WHO protocol and is being read as such by surfers. Is is NOT a statement, it quotes emailed responses to an email sent by Sense About Science. Thank you for your email. As your investigations have discovered, the WHO quotes in the piece are accurate. In addition we stated they were made in response to calls from this particular group of young doctors. We have now received comments from two homoeopathic organisations which we have added in to the piece. Kind regards BBC News website
  Comment by: Sue, UK.    on Sep 03, 2009 1 Agree  |  0 Disagree       Report Abuse

Dear Dr Singh, There is a saying "Throw sufficient mud, some will stick", the so called Yong Science team is utilizing this technique to bring disrepute to homeopathy. It is not that they do not know the facts about effectiveness of homeopathy but they are continuing their efforts cleverly at the instance of vested interest. You might have came to know by now that the BBC who brodcasted this newss.has apologised and corrected the headline of the news and mentioned what BBC actually said. However as large number of media picked up this news the perpose of Young scientist team has been served. for this suitable legal action against is called for. I entirely agree with suggestions to the homeopathic community. With all good wishes,
  Comment by: Dr D. P. Rastogi, India.    on Sep 01, 2009 0 Agree  |  0 Disagree       Report Abuse

Dear Miss Singh, I appreciate your response to this attack and would say that you have really written a very nice reply and thought provoking article. Yes, we need to getup and unite and keep records of all our cases with documentation so we can stand up and say that we have done.
  Comment by: Dr. Geeta Rani arora, India.    on Aug 31, 2009 0 Agree  |  0 Disagree       Report Abuse

Well Done Author , I agree whatever all you have written and future course of action too .See what i feel , we should let the authorities talk about this , rather giving our justifications .IF in answer they need the results than we should reply them with our results .As we havnt done any crime for which we have to prove ourselves and rather WHO should reply on what basis they have done this .and KINDLY it is request from fellow homoeopaths try to avoid projecting homoepathy in wrong way ,the way it was done for SWINE flu.DARE TO BE WISE . THANKS AND WISHES .we dont need any stamp to feel confident about homoeopathy.
  Comment by: Dr Manjari Sharma , India.    on Aug 31, 2009 1 Agree  |  0 Disagree       Report Abuse

WHO is nothing but the tool of MNC - American Pharmaceutical and medical company to create marcket for their products, going to the extent that they create panic with false Alarms like Swine flu etc. The problem is the so called "educated are most illiterate". So why homeopathic practitioners are worried about getting recognition from WHO ?? If tomorrow Bill Gates decide to enter in Homeopathic Market so you should not be surprised that same WHO will declare that this is only scientific line of treatment.
  Comment by: Atal Bihari Sharma, India.    on Aug 31, 2009 0 Agree  |  0 Disagree       Report Abuse

I fully agree with Dr. Kishore Mehta and Dr. S.K.Vashishtha. Clinical evidence is the only proof which we can give to authorities in absence of Modus operandi our Medicines. (In terms of Modern Terminology and instrument detectable things) At the same time we should scrutinize the cases reports fully to be free from criticism and satisfy the modern reserach criterias.
  Comment by: Dr. Manish Bhartiya, India.    on Aug 31, 2009 0 Agree  |  0 Disagree       Report Abuse

Dear Dr Anoop, I appreciate your concern and I agree with your views. The best way is to put our cases with sites like http://www.homeorizon.com/homeopathic-articles/health-news/who-report-against-homeopathy like malaria, Diabetes, T.B., HIV and Infant diarrhoea. I am sure portal with such cases will be a right answer to WHO and corrupted/ corrupting pharmaceutical companies.
  Comment by: Dr. Jawahar Shah, India.    on Aug 30, 2009 0 Agree  |  0 Disagree       Report Abuse

Dear Dr Anoop Kumar Srivatsava, It was nice to read your mail and here in Mumbai we are also making united efforts to give back equally strong blow to WHO and related other institutions who are involved in such a systematic notorious activity to pull down the image of Homoeopathy. I personally feel that we must all make a case bank file (state wise)of cases of Tuberculosis,Malaria and HIV disease all the Homoeopathic physicians from each state, fully documented with proper follow up associated with investigation reports for evidence. This is what I have put across all the nationally and internationally renowned Homoeopathic doctors and teachers in Mumbai. All the collected case can be sent to WHO and other concern institution in world who has created a big haul. We can challenge them to proove their stand on this strenght of our clinical evidence. I think our work will talk of our efficacy and no court or WHO is require to comment on it. Of course simultaneously we must also ask CCH and CCRH which are official source of Govt Of India ,to help us in this matter, though they may be doing it in their own way. Besides this public awareness and press conferences are other different ways to put up our fight. In Mumbai we are in communications with various sources and hope to overcome this storm successfully. You may guide more if you can.
  Comment by: Dr Kishor Mehta, .    on Aug 30, 2009 0 Agree  |  0 Disagree       Report Abuse

Dear Sir, I want to compliment you for this extremly well written article. Every word in it makes sense. The WHO report is a blow for all homeopaths alike. Reports like these against our system have been coming up time and again and its high time for all the fraternity to get together and reply back. UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL..!
  Comment by: Dr.Varun Mehta, India.    on Aug 30, 2009 0 Agree  |  0 Disagree       Report Abuse

Dear Dr Anoop, I appreciate your concern and I absolutely agree with your views. Carry on and we all are with you. Each Homoeopath should share his acheivements as well as failures with each other so that rectifications and ammendments in treatment can be done. Then only then the WHO or any other body will not dare to comment.
  Comment by: Dr. RAjneesh Sharma, India.    on Aug 30, 2009 0 Agree  |  0 Disagree       Report Abuse

I also agree on this, this is really the right way to come and answer the so called conventional thema medicos by fully data based study and result oriented practice. I appreciate Homerizon team.
  Comment by: Dr. Jaidev Khatri, India.    on Aug 28, 2009 0 Agree  |  0 Disagree       Report Abuse

Dera Dr, We homoeopaths are ourself resposible for this type of comments by media or other persons being led by allopathic drug mafia/MNCs. WE TREAT THE MAN AS WHOLE BY MODULATING THE IMMUNITY OF THE DISEASED PERSON AS A WHOLE NOT ANY PARTICULAR PART. HIV/CANCER/MALARIA etc are names of diseases.
  Comment by: Dr. S. S. Vithal, India.    on Aug 28, 2009 0 Agree  |  0 Disagree       Report Abuse

This report of WHO should be an eye opener to all homeopaths, before we react to this, there is a need to look in one's own-self, our college studies, our hospital dispensaries. I wish that we stop claiming things without doing much, recently we homeopaths even claimed to have a preventive for swine flu without even seeing even one case, leave the question of treating empty claims would lead us to this type of comments
  Comment by: Dr. S. K. Vashist, India.    on Aug 28, 2009 0 Agree  |  0 Disagree       Report Abuse

I Agree with all your points.
  Comment by: Dr. Pitamber Shukla, India.    on Aug 27, 2009 0 Agree  |  0 Disagree       Report Abuse

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