A four-decade veteran in the field of homoeopathy Dr Lal Singh plans to plough back some of his expertise into society to benefit its underprivileged and needy sections.
His foundation was launched in the Capital recently by Delhi Assembly Speaker Yoganand Shastri. The foundation plans to work towards spreading literacy from primary school level to post graduation in homoeopathy, health, disability and support development initiatives, particularly in rural areas.
Dr. Lal Singh is just two years short of being an octogenarian but has youthful energy and jest. The Speaker emphasised on the need to encourage the traditional Indian systems of medicine and homoeopathy which have the potential to reach a wider section of the population which could not even afford to pay for primary health care and needs. He recalled the ancient times of vaidyas who were practitioners of Ayurveda and provided natural cure to many ailments and diseases.
Among those who supported the initiative of Dr. Lal Singh and encouraged him were Dr. S.P. S. Bakshi, who heads Bakson Homoeopathic College in Greater Noida, Dr. J. D. Daryani, Principal of Dr. MPK Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital in Jaipur and Dr. K. K. Juneja, Chairman of Delhi Homoepathic Board.
With the mission of “Humanity First”, Dr. Lal Singh’s Foundation will also draw upon the resources and experience of his two sons – Dr. Amarjit Singh and Dr. Sanjiv Singh Chawla, both homeopathic physicians of repute and rich experience of nearly two and a half decades. His young grandson Dr. Gurshabad Singh, a fresh graduate of homoeopathic medicine from Delhi, has also put in efforts to activate a 24-hour helpline which gives information on homoeopathic system and guides the patients. He will also be responsible for manning a charitable mobile homoeopathic clinic that will visit far flung areas in and around the Capital and provide basic health care to needy persons. “The foundation is also extending support to differently-abled children in their educational and social needs. We plan to expand it further soon,” said Dr. Chawla. Dr. Amarjit Singh said the focus of the foundation would be to bring about a social change through spread of education as well as making efforts to reach out to a wider segment of the society to provide affordable and basic health care.
Homoeopathy which has gained popularity n India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other Asian countries was discovered by a German Physician, Dr. Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), in the late 18th century.
“It is a therapeutic system of medicine premised on the principle, “Similia Similibus Curentur” or ‘let likes be treated by likes’. Homoeopathy is a method of treatment for curing the patient by medicines that possess the power of producing similar symptoms in a healthy human being simulating the natural disease, which it can cure in the diseased person. Homoeopathy treats the patients not only through holistic approach but also considers individualistic characteristics of the person,” according to the Central Council of Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) which promotes research and works under the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry.
“Homoeopathic medicines are most cost effective, palatable, have no adverse side effects, can be administered easily and are gentle,” says Dr. Amarjit Singh. The Foundation has also prepared a series of television commercials to spread awareness about this system of medicine.
According to CCRH, Homoeopathy has been useful in treatment of psychosomatic disorders, autoimmune diseases, geriatric and paediatric disorders, skin diseases, life style disorders and allergies,
Homoeopathy was introduced in India when some German missionaries and physicians started distributing homoeopathic medicines amongst local inhabitants. However, homoeopathy took roots in India in 1839 when Dr. John Martin Honigberger successfully treated Maharaja Ranjit Singh for the paralysis of vocal cords. Dr. Honigberger settled in Kolkata (the then Calcutta) and became popular as Cholera-doctor. Later, Dr. M.L. Sirkar, a reputed physician of his time, also started practicing homoeopathy. In 1881, many renowned physicians including Dr. P.C. Mujumdar and Dr. D. N. Roy established first homoeopathic college - the ‘Calcutta Homoeopathic Medical College’.
Over the years, the number of amateur homoeopathic practitioners grew steadily. In 1973, the Parliament passed the Homoeopathy Central Council Act for regulating homoeopathic education and practice in the country. Ever since, Homoeopathy has grown as a National System of Medicine and enjoys Government's support at national and state levels.
