Abstract
Background Based on a pluralistic approach to health care, India offers a range of medical treatment
modalities to its population. In that context, the government of India aims at providing
its people with wider access to homeopathy. This article provides insight into the
infrastructural support put in place by the government to meet that aim.
Data and Methods A literature review was carried out of recent surveys and articles to assess the
morbidity trends in India and the treatment modalities being sought by patients. Extensive
attempts were made to identify and access all data sources that could contribute to
understanding the situation of homeopathy in public health in India. These efforts
included analysis of secondary data about government wellness centres, as also a case
study of one such centre.
Results In India, homeopathy is well represented in public health, being a close second among
the AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) services.
Homeopathy wellness centres comprise 31% of the total for AYUSH. Seven out of 10 diseases
recognised as a national health burden are in the category of most commonly reported
diseases at the homeopathy wellness centres. Academic homeopathy institutes comprise
35.8% of AYUSH colleges, the total student intakes of which are 13,658 and 32,256
respectively. Homeopathy practitioners are 37% of the AYUSH total. Homeopathy units
comprise 1/19th of the number of allopathy units, yet the annual patient footfall
in the former is 1/5th of the latter.
Conclusion Homeopathy services, wherever available, are being used fully and thus sharing the
patient load in the government-run wellness centres. There is the potential for more
homeopathic practitioners to contribute importantly to health care delivery in India.
Keywords
public health - homeopathy - Government of India - homeopathy wellness centres - Central
Government Health Scheme - morbidity - education - costs
