What is the status of homeopathy in the world?

Answer 1

Homeopathy in India:

The legal status of homoeopathy in India is on an equal footing with both conventional and Ayurvedic medicine. Regular full time medical degree for a minimum period of 5 1/2 years (BHMS) is absolutely necessary for becoming qualified to practice homeopathy in India. And to do M.D. in homeopathy further you have to spend three more years after BHMS. There are over 2.5 lakhs registered homeopath physicians giving their services in 2,860 hospitals, with a total of 45,720 beds. The country churns out no less than 13,000 homeopaths every year. Currently there are around 186 homoeopathic medical colleges in India. A survey conducted by ICMR in 2003, reveals that Homoeopathy was preferred by 1/3rd of the surveyed households in India for minor ailments and by about 18% in case of serious ailments. In the year 2006-07, about 50 million people opted for homeopathy. This number would exceed 100 million by the end of 2010, according to the study by a leading industry chamber, ASSOCHAM.

Homeopathy in Developing Countries

9 million people use homoeopathy in Brazil. Of the 15,000 Brazilian doctors that practice homoeopathy, a large number of them are paediatricians. In several developing countries, homoeopathy is integrated into the system of health care (India, Mexico, Brazil and Cuba, for example). Homeopathy is also recognized officially in countries like Bangladesh, Singapore, Dubai, Malaysia etc. In the recent past countries like UAE, Thailand, Cuba, Argentina, Iran, and Russia have granted official recognition to these systems, new teaching institutions are coming up and research activities are being revitalized.

Homeopathy in Developed Countries

Homoeopathy has got official recognition in Germany, Switzerland, Canada etc. A survey in The British Medical Journal (7 June, 1986), shows that 42% of British medical doctors refer patients to homeopathic doctors, who are integrated in the public health system. A particular survey suggested that 80% of people receiving homeopathy in the UK were satisfied with their treatment. Homeopathy is said to be $200 million a year industry in the United States according to the American Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists. 40% of the French population regularly choose homeopathy