Homeopathy as a Career: Explore the Possibilities

It is pretty much possible that the sweet pills have tempted almost each one of us to taste them at least once. Yes we are talking about homeopathy pills, the only pills which do not scare a patient. Homeopathy, a panacea for various ailments has also gained new grounds as a career. Homeopathy as a Career has immense future and as a doctor one not only earns good money but gets a platform for various avenues in the allied areas.

What is Homeopathy

Homeopathy owes it origin to Dr. Christian Samuel Hahnemann, who developed it as a system of medicine, involving treatment of individuals with highly diluted substances. The best part of homeopathy is that it triggers a body's natural system of healing. It is based upon specific symptoms, that a doctor matches the most appropriate medicine to each patient.

There are certain specialist pharmacies, which prepares homeopathic medicines through a careful process of dilution and succussion (a specific form of vigorous shaking). As per the laboratory experiments, it has been proved that homeopathically prepared substances cause biological effects.

Homoeopathy As a Career

It is a myth in Indian education corridors, that homeopathy does not fetch one with a good career. The fact is that there are immense job opportunities in this field both in India and abroad. A trained homoeopathic practitioner can get employment as Medical Officer/Doctor at various and Private Homoeopathic Hospitals.

Apart from this, professionals can also start their own practice or set up shops of homoeopathy medicines. Homoeopathic doctors can work in different industries engaged in homoeopathic preparations. These doctors can a make a good career as a Professor in homoeopathic colleges or undertake research work. After some years of experience, a BHMS degree holder can also open up his own pharmacy.

Career in Homeopathy: How to Get in

Students willing to make homoeopathy as a career can take up education at first degree and postgraduate degree levels. The first course, which gives a Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS) degree, is available in 118 colleges affiliated to various universities.

An aspirant must also have qualified 10+2 examination in science with Biology as an optional. Homeopathy, like any other regular medical course, requires five and a half years medical training. This also includes one year of compulsory internship. Seats to BHMS (Bachelor in Homeopathy Science) course is available with various universities and are filled up through an All-India Entrance Examination.

There is also postgraduate course in Homoeopathy MD (Homeopathy), which is of three year duration. Aspirants in this field require an MD (Homeopathy), which is BHMS degree.

All those willing to take up research, can take admission in National Institute of Homoeopathy, Calcutta, set up by Government of India. A model institute, it provides a high standard of teaching, training and research in various aspects of Homoeopathic system.

Institutes Offering Homeopathy

Students interested to make homeopathy as a career, can take up Bachelor's and Master's degree courses in Homoeopathy offered by many colleges and universities in India. Some of the colleges are as follows:

• National University of Homoeopathy, Calcutta
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi
• Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Kerala
• University of Health Science, Vijayawada
• Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore
• Yerala Homoeopathic Medical College and Research Centre, Mumbai
• Venutai Yashwantrao Chavan Homoeopathic Medical College, Vengurla
• Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Vengurla
• Vasundhra Raje Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Gwalior
• Swami Vivekananda Homoeopathic Medical College, Bhavnagar
• Armed Force Medical College, Pune
• Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore

Remuneration

If one starts from a government Homoeopathy hospital, the starting salary scale is Rs.8000. for BHMS graduates. Professors in Homoeopathy colleges get more than Rs 8000/- per month.

In private practice the salary depends totally on the effort you put in and your professional reputation. A BHMS graduate working in private sector can earn more than what he earns in government sector. One can set up a pharmaceutical company, which is more remunerative than other jobs.

Source: Prachi Srivastava (Shiksha Team)