Thousands of homeopaths in both the public and private sector are furious at the state directive limiting their practice in their system of medicine. The Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), an autonomous research organization under the Union Ministry of Ayush, had, however, received permission from the ministry to treat coronavirus patients. In spite of several letters from the Ministry of Ayush insisting Kerala to let homoeopathic practitioners treat and study the effect of homoeo medicines on COVID-19 patients, the state authorities have not considered it yet. Homoeo practitioners have submitted a number of proposals and memorandums requesting consent to administer immunity-booster medicine to people in quarantine and observe their progress.

The doctors stated that they weren’t allowed to practice or consult regular patients due to the restriction. According to the circular issued by the secretary of Ayush, patients with symptoms of fever, cough, headache and respiratory tract infection should only be referred to modern medicine hospitals.

Muhammad Shafeek Masani, state president of the Kerala Government Homoeo Medical Officers Association, said that as per experts in modern medicine, there is no confirm cure or protocol to treat COVID-19 patients, but these modern medicine doctors act as if they only can treat the pandemic. Homoeopathy has medicines to treat all the symptoms of coronavirus. But, the higher authorities, including the state government, are not willing to give them a chance. He suspected that the secretary of Ayush Department is an allopathic doctor and they want the government to remove him and appoint somebody else who can resolve things accurately.

He also stated that the Ministry of Ayush has issued guidelines to administer homoeopathic treatment for coronavirus patients. The homeopathic approach is different as compared to modern medicine, but it is effective. He further added that 80 per cent of the COVID-19 cases reported are either asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. After constant requests, the government gave them permission to administer immunity-boosting medicines.

Dr Deepa A S, General Secretary of the association said that the limitations are making it difficult for homoeo practitioners to take care of their patients. They are not able to treat even routine allergy symptoms, such as seasonal flu or bronchial infection. Homoeopathy Medical College at Iranimuttom, Thiruvananthapuram was a COVID-19 first-line treatment centre. They used to treat cancer patients also. The ministry should give permission to treat asymptomatic patients admitted there and also for those who are keen to opt for homoeopathy. Homoeopathic medicines are proven useful in the treatment of communicable diseases such as dengue, acute encephalitis syndrome and influenza-like illnesses. A member of the Kerala State Expert Committee for COVID-19 said that a pandemic is not the best time for such experiments. He said that homoeopathy is not a replacement for conventional medicine and it is not usually accepted.

Source: The New Indian Express