With over 100 million Indians depending solely on homoeopathy, this form of medicine is slowly gaining ground in the employment industry. Dr Pankaj Aggarwal tells you why and how this field of medicine is becoming a lucrative career option for many
With a lot of people opting for Homoeopathy these days, this new form of medicine and wellness has taken the employment market by a storm. Homeopathy is such a rage because it is more affordable than the allopathy and also has lesser number of side effects. There has been a significant rise in the demand of homoeopathy experts in India and abroad.
As per the recent reports, India’s registered homeopathic practitioners have more than doubled in two decades — from 1.05 lakh in 1980 to 2.46 lakh in 2010. Also, the number of homeopathic hospitals/dispensaries has also increased four fold — from 1,686 in 1980 to about 7,000 in 2010. Thus, this field of medicine has become a lucrative career option among youth and is becoming one of the most sought after career option.
A study conducted by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) revealed that in 2010, the domestic homoeopathy market size was about Rs2,758 crore. Globally, the homoeopathy market is estimated at Rs26,300 crore with France being the largest contributor. Over 100 million Indians, depend solely on homoeopathy.
Homeopaths treat patients by stimulating the body’s own healing powers with natural remedies. They understand that the body, mind and emotions are distinct, but completely integrated. Based on this perspective, homeopaths seek natural remedies which fit all of a patient’s physical and psychological symptoms. A homeopath, not only treats headaches and fever, but also cancer and arthritis. While treating a patient, an homeopath not only checks for his physical symptoms, but his lifestyle and emotional issues are also considered.
The origin
Homoeopathy saw the light of day when Dr Christian Samuel Hahnemann created a system of alternative medicine in 1796. He used dilution of the substances because after rigorous experimentation, he realised the large doses of drugs only aggravate the illness and therefore, he advocated the use of these diluted solutions. He even authored a book where he recorded an overview of his new medical system. This book, titled The Organon of the Healing Art, 1810, is used as a bible for homeopaths today.
Course Details
Homoeopathy is offered at three levels —graduate, postgraduate and PhD. The Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS) is one of the most popular courses. In order to appear for an entrance, one must pass Class XII examination in Science with Biology as an compulsory subject. like any other medicine course, the duration for this course is also five and a half years, including one year of compulsory internship. After getting BHMS degree, students can also go for postgraduate M.D. Homoeopathy programme (three years). In this, students can specialise in specific areas.
JOB Prospects
Homoeopathy offers many job opportunities, both in India and abroad. An Homeopathic practitioner can get employment as a medical officer at various Government and private homoeopathy hospitals. One can also start his/her own practice or open his own retail shop of homoeopathy medicines.
Homeopaths can also work with the industries which are engaged in homeopathic preparations. Moreover, a BHMS degree holder can also open his own pharmacy after some year of experience. Thanks to the National Rural Health Mission (NHRM) programme, new job opportunities in all the states are expected to rise in good numbers.
In addition to these, there are three health system at Central level CGHS, Defence and Railways sectors. States and local bodies like MCDs too have such systems. However, railways and defence do not have homoeopathic segments. If they too adopt this, then there will be more support for health system and lots of job for homoeopathy can be created.
Top Colleges
Bachelor’s and Master’s degree courses in Homoeopathy are offered by many colleges and universities in India. However, most important among them are University of Health Science, Vijayawada and Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore. Besides these, there are other institutions such as Yerela Homoeopathic Medical College and Research Centre, Mumbai; Venutai Yashwantrao Chavan Homoeopathic Medical College, Vengurla; Homeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Vengurla; Vasundhra Raje Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Gwalior; Swami Vivekananda Homoeopathic Medical College, Bhavnagar.
Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, which is also the national university of homoeopathy and Homoeopathy University, Jaipur are offering PhD courses in homoeopathy. The main regulatory bodies of these universities is Central Council of Homoeopathy (CCH).
Remuneration
In Government Homoeopathy hospitals the renumeration is as per Government standards for BHMS graduates. Professors in Homoeopathy colleges get more than Rs 8000/ per month. In a private set-up, including MNCs in India and the world over the remuneration depends totally on the effort you put in and your professional reputation.
Dedicated and competent practitioners can earn more. A BHMS graduate working in private sector can earn more than what he earns in government sector. Running own pharmaceutical company is more remunerative than other jobs. But it totally depends upon sales turn over.
(The writer is a Homoeopathic Physician and owner of Agrawal Homeo Clinic).