December 2007 - News Release
Symposium offers open debate on homeopathy, HIV and AIDS
With over 2 million deaths from AIDS worldwide in 2007 and nearly 8,000 people diagnosed with HIV in the UK alone last year, the HIV pandemic remains one of the greatest health crises facing our planet.
The Society supports open debate in the development of the profession
The role of homeopathy in the treatment of individuals with this devastating disease is in its infancy. More research is needed. However, this symposium recognises there are many people with HIV and AIDS using homeopathy, alongside existing treatment programmes eg anti-retroviral drugs, where they are available.
This Society symposium is not offering a cure for this disease nor is it endorsing in any way any of the methods used by the speakers. However, it is facilitating an important forum for a constructive and open debate as a starting point for learning more about the future role of homeopathy in this field.
Homeopathy offers a patient-centred approach
Homeopathy puts the patient at the centre of each homeopathic consultation, treating their own individual symptoms rather than the disease itself. Just as symptoms vary from one individual to another, so do homeopathic prescriptions, which are necessarily tailored to each patient.
In its patient-centered approach, The Society does not endorse the stopping of existing treatment programmes eg anti-retroviral drugs. What it is exploring is a homeopathic and integrated approach that can help deal with some of the symptoms of this disease.
The Society is committed to the regulation of homeopaths for the protection of the public
As the UK’s largest regulator of homeopaths, The Society has long been committed to promoting the highest standards within homeopathy, evidenced through its Course Recognition system, comprehensive registration processes and professional conduct services to the public. The Society represents professional homeopaths (identifiable by their designation ‘RSHom’) and would support a call for all homeopaths to be registered.
The Society is committed to a strategic goal of the establishment of an independent single register and regulatory body for homeopaths. This would offer the public just one register of homeopaths in the UK alongside the reassurance that they meet the required standards.
Jayne Thomas
Symposium Chair
Vice Chair, Board of Directors
