[Related Bangla article by Ibne Golam Samad:http://www.bangladeshnews24.com/nayadiganta/newspaper/2009/08/31/news0356.phppublihed in NayaDiganta dated Augut 31, 2009 ]Homeopathy not a cure, says WHO - BBC News | |||||
People with conditions such as HIV, TB and malaria should not rely on homeopathic treatments, the World Health Organization has warned. It was responding to calls from young researchers who fear the promotion of homeopathy in the developing world could put people's lives at risk. The group Voice of Young Science Network has written to health ministers to set out the WHO view. However practitioners said there were areas where homeopathy could help.
In a letter to the WHO in June, the medics from the UK and Africa said: "We are calling on the WHO to condemn the promotion of homeopathy for treating TB, infant diarrhoea, influenza, malaria and HIV. "Homeopathy does not protect people from, or treat, these diseases. "Those of us working with the most rural and impoverished people of the world already struggle to deliver the medical help that is needed. "When homeopathy stands in place of effective treatment, lives are lost." Dr Robert Hagan is a researcher in biomolecular science at the University of St Andrews and a member of Voice of Young Science Network, which is part of the charity Sense About Science campaigning for "evidence-based" care. He said: "We need governments around the world to recognise the dangers of promoting homeopathy for life-threatening illnesses. "We hope that by raising awareness of the WHO's position on homeopathy we will be supporting those people who are taking a stand against these potentially disastrous practices." 'No evidence' Dr Mario Raviglione, director of the Stop TB department at the WHO, said: "Our evidence-based WHO TB treatment/management guidelines, as well as the International Standards of Tuberculosis Care do not recommend use of homeopathy."
The doctors had also complained that homeopathy was being promoted as a treatment for diarrhoea in children. But a spokesman for the WHO department of child and adolescent health and development said: "We have found no evidence to date that homeopathy would bring any benefit. "Homeopathy does not focus on the treatment and prevention of dehydration - in total contradiction with the scientific basis and our recommendations for the management of diarrhoea." Dr Nick Beeching, a specialist in infectious diseases at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, said: "Infections such as malaria, HIV and tuberculosis all have a high mortality rate but can usually be controlled or cured by a variety of proven treatments, for which there is ample experience and scientific trial data. "There is no objective evidence that homeopathy has any effect on these infections, and I think it is irresponsible for a healthcare worker to promote the use of homeopathy in place of proven treatment for any life-threatening illness." Homework However Paula Ross, chief executive of the Society of Homeopaths, said it was right to raise concerns about promotion of homeopathy as a cure for TB, malaria or HIV and Aids. But she added: "This is just another poorly wrapped attempt to discredit homeopathy by Sense About Science. "The irony is that in their efforts to promote evidence in medicine, they have failed to do their own homework. "There is a strong and growing evidence base for homeopathy and most notably, this also includes childhood diarrhoea." The UK's Faculty of Homeopathy added that there was also evidence homeopathy could help people with seasonal flu. Dr Sara Eames, president of the faculty, said people should not be deprived of effective conventional medicines for serious disease. But she added: "Millions die each year as those affected have no access to these drugs. "It therefore seems reasonable to consider what beneficial role homeopathy could play. What is needed is further research and investment into homeopathy." | |||||
There is no objective evidence that homeopathy has any effect on these infections 
Comments from the WHO:
Dr Mario Raviglione, Director, Stop TB Department, WHO: "Our evidence-based WHO TB treatment/management guidelines, as well as the International Standards of Tuberculosis Care (ISTC) do not recommend use of homeopathy."
Dr Mukund Uplekar, TB Strategy and Health Systems, WHO: "WHO's evidence-based guidelines on treatment of tuberculosis…have no place for homeopathic medicines."
Dr Teguest Guerma, Director Ad Interim, HIV/AIDS Department, WHO: "The WHO Dept. of HIV/AIDS invests considerable human and financial resources [...] to ensure access to evidence-based medical information and to clinically proven, efficacious, and safe treatment for HIV… Let me end by congratulating the young clinicians and researchers of Sense About Science for their efforts to ensure evidence-based approaches to treating and caring for people living with HIV."
Dr Sergio Spinaci, Associate Director, Global Malaria Programme, WHO: "Thanks for the amazing documentation and for whistle blowing on this issue… The Global Malaria programme recommends that malaria is treated following the WHO Guidelines for the Treatment of Malaria."
Joe Martines, on behalf of Dr Elizabeth Mason, Director, Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development, WHO: "We have found no evidence to date that homeopathy would bring any benefit to the treatment of diarrhoea in children…Homeopathy does not focus on the treatment and prevention of dehydration - in total contradiction with the scientific basis and our recommendations for the management of diarrhoea."
Media Coverage
BBC online Homeopathy not a cure, says WHO
BMJ WHO warns against using homoeopathy to treat serious diseases
The Independent Steve Connor: Lack of waves causes ripples of excitement
Kaiser Family Foundation WHO Recommends Against Using Homeopathic Treatments For HIV, TB, Malaria, Influenza, Infant Diarrhea
USA Today WHO warns against homeopathy treatments
Rocket News WHO warns against homeopathy use
Digital Journal Medics Condemn Homeopathic Treatments
Newser WHO Sounds Alarm on Homeopathy
World News Network WHO warns against homeopathy use
Drugs and Diseases Homeopathy not a cure, says WHO
NetDoctor Homeopathy 'not a cure' for disease
The Millenium Project WHO does not recommend the use of homeopathy for HIV, malaria, TB, influenza and infant diarrhoea
hc2d.co.uk Homeopathy not recommended by WHO
PharmiWeb.com Homeopathy: No Science, No Proof, No Cure
Ghana Broadcasting Corporation WHO warns against homeopathy use
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation WHO warns against homeopathy use
El Pais, Spain La OMS desaconseja el uso de la homeopatia para el tratamiento del sida o la malaria
L'Express, France Faut-il se mefier de l'homeopathie?
NU.nl, Netherlands WHO waarschuwt voor homeopathie
Eesti Paevaleht, Estonia WHO hoiatab HIVi ja malaaria homoopaatilise ravi eest
Helsingin Sanomat, Finland WHO varoittaa homeopaattisista hoidoista
Corriere della Sera, Italy Oms: preoccupazione per la diffusione dell'omeopatia nel terzo mondo
Delfi, Lithuania Pasauline sveikatos organizacija ispeja del homeopatijos naudojimo
Polskie Radio, Poland WHO ostrzega przed homeopatia
Journal of Turkish Weekly WHO warns against homeopathy use
The Times of India Homeopathy doesn’t help in HIV, TB, malaria
Thaindian News, Thailand People with HIV, TB, malaria should not rely on homeopathy, says WHO
The News, Pakistan WHO warns against homeopathy treatments
Estadao.com.br, Brazil OMS alerta para risco de homeopatia contra Aids e malaria
Excelsior, Mexico Desaconseja OMS homeopatia para sida, tuberculosis o malaria
SurySur, Argentina El imposible caso del Dr. House homeopata
Le Mauricien, Mauritius Dangerous homeopathy
Radio Netherlands Worldwide Sceptics want homeopathy banned in Africa, RADIO INTERVIEW
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