| THE LIGA LETTER - March 2000 |
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THE CRUCIAL LINK: REPORTS FROM THE NATIONAL VICE–PRESIDENTS The National Vice Presidents/Representatives of Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, India, Italy, Latvia, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Romania, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Uruguay are to be congratulated for responding to our request for report submission. Each National Vice President is requested to submit a small summary for the Newsletter, along with his/her Annual Report. Where such has been received, it has been used. When a summary has not been received, the Editor has had to summarize the report. We have achieved some aims in Argentinian as far as recognition is concerned. Although homeopathy is highly developed in our country, both in medical practice as well as in teaching, it is not legally recognized. However, lately the medicine branch of the National University has created a new position in the “Nicolás Avellaneda” hospital in the province of Tucumán. Moreover, SENASA, the national organization in charge of controlling animal sanity and health, has recognized homeopathy as a legal practice. Argentina has eight homeopathic schools and each of them has its own library which is run in the same University building. Concerning the number of laboratories, we could state that it is just impossible to give this information, due to the fact that not every manufacturer registers themselves as members of C.A.F.H.A. As a conclusion, we can say that homeopathy in Argentina is exercised by professionally qualified doctors who are working hard to pave the way for our legal recognition. Ever reducing numbers of medically qualified homeopaths in Australia have led to a rationing of educational strategies. Henceforth, The Australian Medical Faculty of Homeopathy will only attempt to provide introductory courses in homeopathy for eligible doctors, veterinarians and nurses. Further training will be provided by one of several educational bodies meeting the requirements of the National Standards Document (prepared largely through the kind efforts of the current Faculty President, Dr. Nic Goodman). Medical homeopathy remains alive and well integrated with the rest of the complementary medicine establishment in Australia through its participation in the annual scientific conferences of the Australasian Integrative Medicine Association. This year’s conference was held in Sydney and was a great success. The homeopathy sessions were well attended. Senior members of the Faculty continue to address Divisions of General Practice and various medical conferences as before. In Austria there are two homeopathic associations offering a training program consisting of 350 hours ( 200 hours theoretical, 150 hours practical training). An official diploma is awarded after fulfilling this education. It is recognized by the medical chamber of Austria as diploma of complementary medicine in homeopathy. Apart from the basic training, advanced training and supervision is offered. There are lectures at all Austrian universities on a voluntary level. Veterinary homeopathy is recognized on an official level, receiving the title of specialist in homeopathy. There is a veterinarian association which is in close contact with biological farmers. The most important news from Belgium is that since first of January 2000, all Belgian health insurances have decided to reimburse at least 20% of the costs of the homeopathic medications prescribed by a Medical Doctor. Some of the insurances gives up to 100% reimbursement for the prescribed remedies and some have already decided to give patients a complementary reimbursement for the homeopathic medical consultation. The process of recognition of homeopathy in Belgium goes further. A survey in September 1999 shows that 40% of Belgian people are using homeopathy regularly, only 50% of this group goes to a homeopathic M.D.. The phenomenon of self medication needs to be studied with more accuracy. The general assembly of Belgian M.D. homeopaths has undersigned the School’s Consensus on Homeopathic teaching in Belgium, a CERTICATE delivered by the schools will attest the basic competence in homeopathy and a National DIPLOMA will attest full competence; refresher courses are compulsory. A law concerning the registration of homeopathic medications according to the European directives has been published a few month ago, a specialized commission will start this procedure in the very near future. An urgency kit with basic homeopathic medications will be compulsory for each pharmacy during week-ends and nights. Two universities (UCL & ULB) have agreed to organize scientific studies, a first about supra ventricular tachycardia, a second one will be the reproduction of the Dr Peter Fisher study using Rhus tox. for fibromyalgic patients. Our participation in a Pan-European Sociologic & Well-Being study has been decided after the positive experience of our participation in such a study within 6 European Countries during last year (31 M.D. Homeopaths involved for Belgium - 1016 patients involved). Homeopathy in the Czech Republic is an official medical method and homeopathic drugs are registered, as other medicaments. Practicing homeopathy is reserved for medical doctors; proper legal framework for the other professions does not exist. Homeopathic treatment is not reimbursed by the social security system (and commercial mutual health insurance does not exist currently). Education Social Activities Current Situation Homeopathy in the Czech Republic is now surviving almost illegally. Although the homeopathy is a target of many attacks from official state, academic and medical representatives, the new generation of patients experiencing the effects of homeopathy is appearing. Also, the practical skills and the knowledge of homeopathic methods among the devoted professionals is increasing. Let us hope for a better future! New address for The Czech Medical Homeopathic Society At first I am glad to say that we have 52 members in the Estonia Society of Homeopathy at the present time. The most important event during the last year in the development of homeopathy in Estonia was the establishment of the Belgian-Russian Classical Homeopathy School. The first course was opened in January 2000 and aroused great interest and remarkable participation. Also, I must note that there were three seminars held by the German remedy company Heel for introduction of homeopathy and homotoxicology. The publishing of study materials in the Estonian language is very closely linked with these events. We have already some homeopaths who are able to advise in any kind of health problem on the pages of the medical magazines. We have some serious problems with the legalization of some homeopathic remedies of company Heel. Our Estonian Remedy Department is trying to make obstructions. There are serious discussions now as to how to resolve this problem. The beginning of this year has seen the new release on the market of remedies that were forbidden last year (Medorrhinum, Psorinum, Luesinum, Morbillinum and Pertussinum) without any modification in the way they were prepared. Concerning the presence of the Liga in France, the regular augmentation year in, year out, even if still too weak, of the number of members, shows that the French people realize the necessity to open up to the international homeopathic world. Concerning teaching and scientific meetings, an increasing schism between the unicist and pluralist tendencies appears to manifest itself. This is due to the fact that the unicism spreads and attracts more and more colleagues. However, paradoxically, the relations between the two communities seem more and more amicable. Apart from the annual pluralists Congress in Paris, the principal annual meetings in France for the time being, are the INHF Congress (National Institute of French Homeopathy) in Paris, the Toulouse Congress and the Dauphiné-Savoie Congress. The most active groups on the clinical research are the AFADH, the GEMMH and the GEHU as well as the participants in research for the computer programs of RADAR and K.H.A. Members, organizations and schools are not changed. But we have five candidates for membership in LMHI. Only some articles about homeopathy were printed in newspapers. The homeopathic situation in Georgia is in the most difficult period in its development. It is a time when homeopathy is recognized by officials, but not all of the documents prepared by us (The Expert-Consulting Council of Health Ministry of Georgia) have yet been legislated. They understand the importance of homeopathy, but its specifics preclude their making easy decisions. We need fellow Liga officers confirmation about the importance of homeopathy. Especially, we need it as we confront a group of non M.D. homeopaths. Some of our Georgian homeopaths, members and prospective memberof LMHI, are planning to participate in Homeopathy 2000: Rededication and Celebration in the USA. Georgian Homeopaths have hope of future cooperation with LMHI and all homeopaths in the world. The different insurance companies of the Social Health Insurance System show more and more interest in homeopathy. Two actual judgments of the court confirmed that homeopathy is embodied in the Social Law of Germany and that the payment of the homeopathic treatment (anamnesis, follow up, etc.)by the Social Health Insurance System is not sufficient, so that private liquidation will be allowed. besides the reimbursement through the Social Health Insurance System. The juridical discussion will be taken further to the Federal Social Law-Court. One important provisional result of scientific research in Germany: Homeopathic Medical Practice: Diagnoses and Medical Care in a Prospective Cohort Study Witt, C; Baumann S; Lüdtke, R; Chigne, M; Schulze D; Baur, R; Willich, SN; Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Humboldt-University of Berlin, Institute for Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Hospital Charité, Humboldt-University of Berlin. Background & Objectives Methods Results Conclusion The process of recognition of Homeopathy is going forward faster and faster, and the number of Provincial Medical Associations participation in the founding of the Register of Homeopathic Medical Docors is increasing. Homeopathic departments have been opened within public hospitals. The Italian Parliament maintains on its agenda the debate of the unified proposal to control homeopathy by regulations and it is just about to be approved. In several scientific and cultural debates attention has been given to the problem of the informed consensus for those citizens who choose homeopathic therapy. The Medical Association of Rome, FIAMO and the L.M.H.I. have prepared a document for the informed consensus in non-conventional medicine and in homeopathy. The main Homeopathic Association (FIAMO, SIMO, FOI, LUIMO) is doing all it can with Health Authorities to give an effective and useful contribution of knowledge in order to safeguard real homeopathy by participating in the Commissions appointed at the Federazione Nazionale dei Medici Chirurghi e Odontoiatri (the National Association of Medical Doctors and Dentists) and at the Ministry of Health. LUIMO has organized the Forum 2000 for the comparison between non-conventional medical disciplines and homeopathy. A ceremony in commemoration of the fiftieth year of Prof. Antonio Negro’s homeopathic practice has been held in Rome. The time passes very fast and it makes us think and act. But not everything is done so rapidly as it is planned. The development process of homeopathy in Latvia is like the slow root growth into the soil which is more and more getting used to its presence. The Latvian Homeopathic Association (LHA) was founded during hard times of Perestroyka and separation from the USSR. The Chinese philosopher said, “Lord, save you from living in the epoch of changes.” Probably there is exception to this rule, for the first time, because, in the mess of political events, homeopathy obtained more and more rights inconspicuously. Within time, homeopathy was accepted into the rank of the basic medical specialties. In the Statutes of LHA, since its foundation, it had been declared that the medical doctor having been in homeopathic practice more than 5 years has the right not to confirm the license on the basic specialty. Despite homeopathy being an additional specialty, this regulation is accepted by the Latvian Medical Association which allows the doctors with such a homeopathic experience to have private practice and foundation of independent homeopathic centers. This is one of the our first victories. For the present moment the association members are involved in working out of profound program of homeopathic education in the country. Our doctors have 4 main sources of homeopathic education: school of homeopathy in Kiev, in Moscow in Riga and in Greece (George Vithoulkas). The next planned step is to achieve the program of the European standard. And we follow its working out by the European Committee for Homeopathy. Several Latvian doctors will participate in the 55th LMHI Congress in Budapest. Unfortunately our financial potencies still limit our plans. The Ministry of Health of Malaysia is currently in a spate of activity in preparing to table a bill to give special attention towards encouraging and promoting practice and acceptance of traditional and complementary health care, including homeopathy, for the populace. After visits to study contribution and role played by traditional and complementary medicines in China and Indonesia, there is a greater openness on the part of the ministry to inculcate traditional and complementary medical practices into mainstream medical care. Malaysian National Homeopathic Council (MNHC) has been established to act as an umbrella body to represent homeopaths in deliberation with the ministry. With the establishment of MNHC, the former Malaysian Homeopathic Medical Council is abolished as it would redundant in function. Representatives from 5 homeopathic associations make up the central committee of MNHC. These are the following:
MNHC is represented by Prof. Dr. Mohamed Yacob on the Permanent Representative Committee on Traditional and Complementary Medicines to the Ministry of Health. The registered Malaysian Homeopathic Medical Practitioners Association in collaboration with the Asian Homeopathic Medical League will hold a Conference on Acupuncture, Homeopathy and Traditional Chinese Medicine for the Asia Pacific from 3-5 September 2000. Presently, there are 2 registered teaching institutions, Kolej Homeopati- Kedah and Faculty of Homeopathy - Kelantan. Instructions at these colleges are in local vernacular, Malay language. Besides these, there are also classes teaching Homeopathy by certain practitioners. México as one of the privileged countries in which homeopathy is officially established as a professional medicine with teaching and practice at schools and hospitals. However, it becomes necessary to work continuously with authorities in education and health in order to proceed with effective independence, establishing normative rules elaborated for homeopathy by national organizations and not for authorities with allopathic criteria. Obviously, this makes a constant diplomacy, in order to avoid consensus in one side only. It is difficult for those who are not on homeopathic fields to understand the proposals and points of view of homeopathy. It has to be different. The official allopathic idea is to ignore the activities of the homeopathy groups and, if possible, nullify them. This will never be possible. Homeopathy is a natural and effective principle of cure discovered by Hahnemann, and nobody can destroy it. But continuously defending the rights of homeopathy in our country has disturbed its real development and promotion. On the other hand, in México unicism in homeopathic practice is increasing, creating the possibility to obtain united and uniform actions. In Zacatecas México, from 17-19 in August 2000 will be held the 4th Latino-American Congress of Materia Medica, organized for "Homeopatia de México" Association. We invite you to participate. In the Netherlands there is one organization for homeopathic medical doctors, the VHAN (Vereniging van Homeopathische Artsen in Nederland). The VHAN counts more than 400 members of which more than 300 are consultants ('specialists'), the others are general practitioners and some of them are medical specialists. The SHO (Stichting Homeopathische Opleidingen) is the institution for homeopathic teaching to medical doctors and is closely related to the VHAN. There is a beginners course for general practitioners, veterinarians and midwives and a basic course for medical doctors and veterinarians (3 years part-time). For members of the VHAN there is a continuous schooling program (obligatory) in homeopathy and in general medicine. Plans for the near future: Homeopathy-day in 2001 More and more homeopathic medical colleges are being established offering the 4 years diploma (DHMS) course in Pakistan, showing popularity of the homeopathic system of medicine. The Pakistan Homeopathic Medical College, Lahore, one of the oldest colleges, awarded DHMS Diplomas and academic medals to graduating students on February 26, 2000. The ceremony was well attended by the physicians and elite of the city. The Asian Homeopathic Medical League organized a one day seminar at Murree on 13 November 1999. A large number of delegates from Pakistan participated in the seminar and exchanged views with their colleagues. Dr. Muhammad Masood Memorial Lecture will be held in November 2000 under the aegis of the Society of Homeopaths - Pakistan in Lahore in memory of one of the leading homeopathic physicians and pioneers of the homeopathic system of medicine of the Indo-Pakistan sub-continent. In Pakistan, quality homeopathic drugs are being manufactured and now are being exported to countries in South East Asia and Europe. The homeopathic life in Romania was dominated by The National Congress in October 1999. We presented The Bahia Congress, thanks to the wonderful article in the Liga Letter about homeopathy in Brazil and to all the information received from our friends, members of the Liga, who attended the Congress. We promoted the 55th Congress to be held in Budapest in May 2000, also, by spreading copies of the registration form to all the participants. Hopefully, more Romanian Doctors will attend the Budapest Congress. This depend a lot on the possibility of a substantial reduction in the participation fees. 1999 The Boiron Laboratories implemented an expensive three years homeopathy course, totally ignoring the Romanian Society of Homeopathy. George Vithoulkas Team started a series of homeopathy courses in Iasi, a north-east university town. We look forward to the 56th Liga Congress of 2001, to be held in Sibiu, Romania, 29th of August - 2nd of September. We expect a great number of homeopathic colleagues from all over the world to be interested in participating which would mean celebrating with us the beginning of a new millennium in homeopathy in the town in which Hahnemann lived for two years. At this moment we are happy to announce the following confirmed key speakers: Dr. Jutta Gnaiger, Dr. Michael Barthel, Dr. Gerhard Resch. The most important All-Russian Homeopathic Congress was held in November 1999. It was initiated by the Russian Homeopathic Association and Russian Homeopathic Society, under patronage of the Ministry of Health. About 200 delegates were send to it by homeopaths - members of regional branches of the RHA and RHO and by local medical departments and ministries. In the Resolution of the Congress the decision that the Congress will be the main homeopathic organ, which would meet every four years and between the Coordination Council will be the main homeopathic organ. The status for it is under elaboration. List of members of this Council is approved by the Ministry of Health. Both Presidents of RHA and RHO and NVP are included within this organization. The president of the Coordination Council is Karpeev Aleksey. The big interest of many scientists was attached by Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Moscow Homeopathic Association, which was held during the Scientific Congress of the Russian Homeopathic Association in May 1999. The reports of physics, mathematics, philosophies and immunologies gave "food" for minds of many participants. Interesting discussions continue even now. The next Congress will be from 2 to 3 of June 2000. Moscow Homeopathic Association makes homeopathic seminars every month during three years free of cost for every homeopath in Moscow and for guests. Russian homeopathic society made a Congress in January 2000. In October 2000 the Ministry of Health will made a Conference devoted to the problem of terminology in conventional medicine and in homeopathy. The South African Homeopathic Medical Association (SAHMA) has made representation to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQUA) for the registration of a South African Faculty of Homeopathy as a Higher Education Institute able to train and offer qualification in homeopathy to registered medical doctors. This qualification will enjoy full reciprocity with the British Faculty and will be recognised at Government level in South Africa; permitting doctors who obtain the MFHom qualification to be registered as professional homeopaths. This registration will be honoured by the Medical Aid Schemes. Dr Jonathan Marchand MFHom has been appointed president of the Faculty and Dr David Lilley FFHom has been appointed Dean. The first courses (3 years / 500 hours) will commence in Johannesburg and Cape Town early 2001. Relationships with the non-medical professional homeopaths continues to strengthen and it is likely that a unification of the homeopathic professions in SA will come about. It is probable that the SA Faculty will be in a position to train (non-medical) professional homeopaths to a standard of post graduate homeopathic education equivalent to that envisaged for post MFHoms. The foundation has been laid and building has commenced. We look forward to the year ahead with great optimism. The interest in Homeopathy amongst the SA public is growing rapidly and we look forward to a time when homeopathy can take its place in the official Primary Health Care team. I do not think we will have to wait long. The Sri Lanka Homeopathic Medical Council is a statutory body, under the Ministry of Health, which plans, implements, and regulates all homeopathic activities throughout the island. P.O. Box 579, Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Professional Association of Homeopathic Medical Officers (P.A.H.M.O), 96 members comprised only of academically-qualified Homeopathic Medical Practitioners, has applied for the institutional Membership of the LIGA. It is registered as a trade union, the registered address: No: 123, Wattegedera Road, Maharagama, Sri Lanka. The Homeopathic Medical Council is planning to inaugurate a Homeopathic Medical College to be constructed on a 5-acre block of land allocated by the government. It is proposed to conduct a 5-year undergraduate course for qualified graduates. The College will also conduct a 2-year part-time course for medical graduates. Since we are sorely lacking in funds to proceed on these projects, the Council is currently trying to identify an institutional or individual Investor on a sharing basis, under the Government's Board of Investment Scheme, which provides a range of benefits to such investor or investors. The one and only importer/ island-wide distributor of homeopathic pharmaceuticals in Sri Lanka is the HOMEO-PHARMACY, based in Terrence Avenue, Mt. Lavinia. A well-documented personal library facility on homeopathy, owned by the first President of the Homeopathic Council, the late Dr. C. V. S. Corea, and presently housed at Gregory's Road, Colombo 7, has been offered to the Council. Arrangements are under way to shift the library material once work on the Medical College is completed. The P.A.H.M.O (see above) has been conducting a Homeopathic Clinical Research Unit and has carried out clinical research on treatment of Iodine deficiency disorders (Goitre) and on the Detoxification of Drug Addicts without material substitution. Construction work on the new Homeopathic Teaching Hospital in Colombo district is in steady progress and is scheduled for inauguration in April, 2000. Our incumbent Health Minister, Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, who is also the Vice-President of the World Health Organization has initiated several policies which are currently being implemented towards the consolidation of Homeopathy. (a) He has increased the annual financial grant to the Homeopathic Council.
The above program has been restricted to a time-frame, ranging from Year 2000 to Year 2001. The Heel Company, Germany, has bought the Swedish homeopathic company DCG Farmaceutical. That will strengthen homeopathy in our country. The Medical Products Agency has processed a lot of registrations of homeopathic remedies. The education of doctors in Uppsala has incorporated a course in homeopathy. It is not so big today, but it is progressing in a good direction and we look forward to a wider education and expansion to other medical schools. Svenska Naturmedicinska Sällskapet has their 25 years anniversary on March 30, 2000 at Hässlby Castle, Stockholm. Doctor Peter Mundy from England is one to give lecture in Homeopathy. The Swiss Association for Homeopathic Physicians was founded in 1856 and represents the majority of Swiss homeopathic physicians. The SVHA represents officially Swiss Homeopathy at the LMHI. The SVHA is the main organ which deals with political issues concerning Homeopathy in Switzerland. Our traditional pharmacy is the Laboratoire Schmidt-Nagel in Geneva. Manufacturers of a newer date are Spagyros which produces homeopathic medicines potentized by hand and Omida, a daughter firm of DHU, which now has a potentizing machine of Michael Quinn. All potencies are available. In the past there has been a journal published by the Swiss association of homeopathic physicians SVHA, the 'Schweizerische Zeitschrift fur Homeopathie', which was published from 1955 - 1962. In this tradition in late 1996 the first issue of the SVHA bulletin was released. Two issues per year are published. Address: Alexander Erlach, Zurcherstrasse 119, 8406 Winterthur, Fax Since July 1999, homeopathic doctors should be reimbursed fully (anamnesis and repertorization on time-based scale) by federal basic health insurance. Patients treated by NMQP’s need an additional insurance for this. This is the decision of the national health authority. A clear statement of acknowledgment for Homeopathy. Homeopathic remedies prescribed by physicians are paid for already by the official tariff. However a valid tariff is still missing. Federal authorities reclaim not to be responsible for a tariff. Negotiations with the cantonal (district) medical associations, which represent medical doctors in front of the insurance companies showed little or even less understanding for the specific structures and needs of the homeopathic physician. So, in most cantons the situation turned out to be very unfortunate for Homeopathy. Therefore a national petition has been launched by a patients organization named Domino with the aim to collect in one month the number of at least 100,000 subscribers to ask the national counselor Dreifuss for a national tariff. In Sept. 98 the "Aerztekammerì of the FMH ( board of the national medical association) adopted principally the formulation of a certificate of capacity for Homeopathy. This means the acknowledgment of Homeopathy as a subspecialty. A big step in recognition of Homeopathy! By January 1999 this new certificate had been validated. By 1999 compulsory Continuing Medical Education (CCME), general and homeopathic in certain percentage, for the holders of the diploma SVHA (according to the Program of Basic Teaching Standards) is established. Since 1995 the University of Bern established within the Medical Faculty a chair for Homeopathy under the name of "KIKOM, kollegiale Instanz fur Komplementarmedizin". Address: Dr. Andre Thurneysen, Imhoof-Pavillon, Inselspital, 3010 Bern, Tel. 031-632 42 64, Fax 031- In 1997 Dr. Dario Spinedi opened a homeopathic clinic in the Clinica Santa Croce, 6644 Orselina, Tel. 091-735 43 72, Fax 091-735 43 74. The clinic consists of 30 beds, 4 homeopathic doctors can treat severe diseases in hospitalized patients by Homeopathy. The 3rd national Congress of the SVHA will be held in Zurich on the 28th and 29th of October 99 under the title Journeés homéopathiques de Zurich. Practical items, workshops and interdisciplinary items with conventional medicine will be the main contents. Ukrainian Association of Homeopathic Pharmaceutists (est. 1999), Ukrainian Association of Homeopathic Physicians (est. 1998), Ukrainian Medical Homeopathic Society of the Health Ministry of Ukraine (est. 2000) unite physicians, pharmaceutists, and veterinary surgeons, working in the field of homeopathy. Regional Homeopathic Societies, as components of Ukrainian Medical Homeopathic Society of Health Ministry of Ukraine, promote development of Homeopathy in the administrative regions. On January 28, 2000, the Scientific Committee of the Health Ministry of Ukraine conducted the Meeting “Introduction of Homeopathy into Pharmacy and Health Service”. Homeopathic treatment in Ukraine is legalized since 1989. Mainly private medical doctors use classical homeopathic remedies, and complex homeopathic remedies are prescribed in State hospitals and clinics. Since 1995 foreign and Ukrainian homeopathic remedies have been registered. Registration fees for homeopathic remedies are less than fees for allopathic drugs. Education: Homeopathy is taught at Medical Institutes and at the Ukrainian Folk Medicine Association. Many physicians, not only homeopaths, use homeopathic remedies. Seminars on homotoxicology are conducted in different regions of Ukraine monthly. Seminar on anthroposophic medicine (Dr. Claus Doenges, Germany) took place. The third year of teaching at the Department of Homeopathy of the Institute Protos (Kiev) on speciality “Management in the Health Service; specialization in Homeopathy” is going on. Since January, seminars on actual questions of Homeopathy are carried out in Kiev monthly. Conferences: On May 6-7, 2000, the 5th Hahnemann’s Readings are to be held in Kiev with participation of leading scientists, pharmacologists, homeopaths and physicians of other specialities. Research: Scientific research in homeopathic treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcer, neurological disorders in children and in immunological effects of homeopathic remedies are continued. NHS Re-organization Regulation of homeopathy There are a large number of unregulated homeopaths in the UK. Several of their organizations have jointly formed a committee (or council) which is seeking to establish a single register of voluntarily self-regulated homeopaths practicing to a level consistent with the recently published “National Occupational Standards” for homeopathy which have been produced by the UK government working with the Faculty of Homeopathy and several of the non-medical organizations. New facilities Plans for expansion Plans are underway to preserve and enhance the antiquarian book collection and to digitize the text of the English language journals and books in the British Homeopathic Library. As of April 2000, the American Institute of Homeopathy has 114 Active Members and 8 Associate Members. The National Center for Homeopathy is the largest homeopathic USA organization—consisting of 5948 members which include: 377 MDs’—65 DOs’—50 Dentists— 141 Veterinarians. The National Center for Homeopathy meeting was in San Francisco, Ca. on April 7-11, 2000. Dr. R.W. Davey, homeopathic physician to Queen Elizabeth II of United Kingdom was one speaker. The National Institutes of Health will continue to fund its division of Complementary and Alternative Medicine with $76 million. One of the significant publications the USA in the year 2000 was the Journal of the American Medical Association and Archives Journals: ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE -- An Objective Assessment – 4 articles on homeopathy. “Homeopathic Study of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial,” by Edward H. Chapman, MD, DHt, was published in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, Dec. 1999. Homeopathic treatment was significantly helpful. “Treatment of Experimental Stroke with Low-Dose Glutamate and Homeopathic Arnica Montana” by Wayne Jonas, MD, et al. was published in the German journal Perfusion in Nov. 1999. Conclusions indicated that homeopathic Arnica appears to reduce long-term damage and mortality from brain injury, might exacerbate the immediate effects of ischemia. Jennifer Jacobs, MD, MPH is proceeding on her research entitled “Is Homeopathy Effective for Hot Flashes in Breast Cancer Survivors?” Michael Carlston, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Community and Family Medicine at University of California at San Francisco, School of Medicine reports that efforts are being made to repeat the work of David Taylor Reilly’s study on asthma. The Council on Homeopathic Education and the Homeopathic Community Council sponsored a Summit on Standards on January 28-30, 2000 in Mountain Lakes, NJ. There exist two homeopathic associations in Uruguay: The "Association of Homeopathic Medicine of Uruguay". It holds regular courses of homeopathic professional development for doctors, veterinarians and odontologists of 3 years duration, as well as courses at superior level for homeopaths. It holds a monthly symposium and provides polyclinical attention for persons of lower incomes. It publishes a magazine every three months, Homeopathic Medicine. The "Hahnemann Homeopathic Medical School of Uruguay". It holds regular courses of homeopathic professional development for doctors, veterinarians and odontologists of three years duration. It holds a monthly symposium. Homeopathy is basically developed at private level as it is not recognized as a specialization by the health authorities. However, there exist commissions both at the Ministry of Public Health and |