Homeopathic medical college teachers hold human chain at National Press Club with three demands

Teachers of homeopathic medical colleges have held a human chain demanding the formation of the governing body and executive council of the Bangladesh Homeopathic Medical Education Council under the Homeopathic Medical Education Act 2023, assured salaries, allowances and facilities for teachers, officials and staff, and the removal of homeopathic medicines from the purview of the Narcotics Control Act.

The human chain was held on Sunday (November 8) in front of the National Press Club, organised by the central committee of the Homeopathic Medical College Teachers Association (Homecshis) Bangladesh. More than 200 physicians from medical college hospitals across the country took part.

Speaking at the human chain, the organisation's president Dr Md Khalilur Rahman said homeopathy is one of the most important parts of Bangladesh's alternative system of medicine. Homeopathic medical education began in independent Bangladesh in 1972 through state recognition.

He said teachers, officials, staff and students of this sector remain in uncertainty because of administrative complications and delays in implementing the law. Swift and effective steps are needed to overcome this situation, he said.

The association's three demands are: forming a full governing body and executive council of the council under the Homeopathic Medical Education Act 2023; allocating the necessary budget to ensure government-fixed salaries, allowances and other facilities for teachers, officials and staff of approved homeopathic medical colleges; and keeping pharmacopoeia-listed homeopathic medicines used in treatment outside the Narcotics Control Act.

Dr Khalilur Rahman said the Diploma in Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (DHMS) and the Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS) courses are running in the country. He said there are 66 private homeopathic medical colleges and hospitals across the country.

He said government initiative is needed to resolve the complications in the educational activities and administrative management of these institutions.

The association's general secretary Dr Mir Md Naimul Haque said at the human chain that in 1980, on the initiative of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, various steps were taken to develop homeopathic medical education. At that time the Government Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital was established in Mirpur. Land and financial assistance were also given to establish homeopathic medical colleges in Dinajpur and Pabna.

Naimul Haque added that later, during former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's tenure, initiatives were also taken to buy a building for the council and to develop the infrastructure of the Government Homeopathic Medical College.

He said the correct guidance and swift action of the health ministry are needed to ensure the development of homeopathic medical education and the normal functioning of the institutions. He sought the health minister's intervention to implement the three demands on an urgent basis.

The more than 200 physicians present at the human chain called for the swift implementation of their three demands.