Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS) is an alternative medicine system. Since there is a cut-throat competition in MBBS. Therefore, many medical-oriented minds with average marks lose their hearts. BHMS is the best option for those students who don’t want to go for even DVM. The article discusses in detail homeopathy, the scope of BHMS and DHMS, career opportunities, the best homeopathic colleges for BHMS in Pakistan, and much more interesting information.

Read:- Sindh MDCAT 2024 Reconduct

What Is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy/ homeopathic medicine is an alternative medicine system. Samuel Hahnemann, a German doctor, founded the system in the 18^th century.

These medicines are prepared from a natural source, i.e. plants, animals, or vitamins. The formulations are highly diluted and are based on a theory that minimum doses pose maximum effects. Distilled water, alcohol, or milk sugar can dilute the active ingredient. Another theory the system follows is “Like cures like.” The third important theory is using a single remedy at a time. Therefore, the formulation is tailored depending upon the person’s symptoms.

What is the scope of homeopathy in Pakistan?

The majority of the people in Pakistan don’t prefer modern medicines. They prioritize home remedies and herbal or homeopathic medicines. The rate of using modern medicines in Pakistan has risen in the past few decades. However, health organizations on the international level are raising voices to limit the use of antibiotics. Moreover, the trend is also moving towards the Eastern medicine system. Homeopathy is different from Eastern medicine systems. But uses natural sources. Therefore, homeopathy holds an eminent future. Consequently, it will boost the scope of BHMS in Pakistan also.

How to become a homeopathic doctor in Pakistan?

To become a homeopathic doctor in Pakistan, an aspirant should hold sufficient qualifications in homeopathy, such as DHMS or BHMS. The next step is registration through NHC. A homeopathic doctor should have a license to practice in Pakistan.

National Council for Homeopathy

The body has been constituted under section 14 of Unani Ayurvedic and Homeopathic practitioners Act, 1965. The council is controlled by the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations & Coordination, Government of Pakistan. The 21 members of the council are selected on various criteria. Following are the responsibilities of NCH:

Affiliate institutes to teach the degrees in Homeopathy, Ayurveda & Unani Medicine
Preparation of syllabi and conducting examinations
Register the qualified doctors in Homeopathy
Control the quality of education in the fields
Provision of research grants.

What is a Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery?

BHMS stands for Bachelor of Homeopathy and Surgery. Two types of BHMS programs are being offered in Pakistan, i.e. BHMS (Graded) and BHMS (Classified). BHMS (Classified) is a five-year degree program in which students learn to treat various human ailments through homeopathic medicine. However, the BHMS (Graded) is a two-year program. After completing DHMS, the home doctors go for it to get a degree in homeopathy.

Scope of BHMS in Pakistan

DHMS is sufficient to practice homeopathy in Pakistan. Therefore, the majority of the colleges are offering DHMS programs in Pakistan.

But with the advancement in the profession, more steps in its qualification are introduced such as BHMS. Predicting the future scope of homeopathy, the young aspirants are opting BHMS in Pakistan. In the former times, it was common for people to change their fields. Therefore, the age limit for DHMS is still 45 years. But the young generation is wise enough to opt for a field and to stick on it to make it profitable for them.

BHMS Admission

HSSC (Pre-Medical) is mandatory to seek admission in BHMS (Classified). However, the merit for BHMS is not as high as it is for MBBS and other allied fields of allopathy in Pakistan. After completing DHMS, the homeo doctors can go for the BHMS (Graded) program.

Which Is Better, BHMS or DHMS?

BHMS is better than DHMS. DHMS stands for Diploma in Homeopathic Medical System. It is a four-year diploma program followed by six months of internship. One can get admission in the diploma right after matric/O Levels. However, one can also go for it after an intermediate or even a bachelor’s in science. DHMS is equivalent to BSc (Homeopathy). BHMS is a degree in homeopathy that is equivalent to MBBS or MSc (Homeopathy). Because of the rising scope in homeopathy, BHMS will have a secure future in Pakistan.

BHMS Course Syllabus

The HEC has prepared a syllabus for five years which are split into 10 semesters. The following courses are being taught:

Anatomy
Biochemistry
Bioinformatics
Biostatistics
Case taking & Repertorization
Clinic Methods & Diagnostics
Forensic Medicine & Toxicology
Gynecology & Obstetrics
Homeopathic Pharmacy
Homeopathic therapeutics
Materia Medica
Microbiology & Parasitology
Ophthalmology & ENT
Pathology
Pediatrics
Pharmacognosy
Philosophy of Homeopathy
Physiology
Preventive & Community Medicine
Surgery

Following are the courses for BHMS (Graded) program:

Pathology, bacteriology, parasitology & biochemistry
Practice of medicine & paediatrics & therapeutics
Fundamentals of psychology & logic
Obstetrics & gynaecology
Principles of surgery including ENT & Opthalmology
Organon of medicine
Case taking & homeopathic repertorisation
Social & Preventive medicine

Recruiters of Homeopathic Doctors in Pakistan

Following are the recruiters of homeopathic doctors in Pakistan:

Private and Government Hospitals
Research Institutes
Teaching Institutes
Homeopathic Pharmaceutical companies
NGOs
Acupuncture centers
Private clinics
Homeopathic pharmacies

Demand for the professionals in such a broad range surely influences the scope of BHMS in Pakistan.

Job Opportunities for Homeopathic Doctors

1. Homeopathic Medical Officer

A homeopathic doctor can serve at the government/ private health care unit as a medical officer.

2. Teacher

A BHMS graduate can also serve as a teacher in any homeopathic teaching institute.

3. Researcher

Since homeopathy deals with the natural source of medicines. Therefore, a researcher in homeopathic medicine can do well.

4. Content Writer

A homeopathic doctor can work at home during flexible timings. He can write informative articles on various diseases and their cure through homeopathy, make the public aware of homeopathy and much more. The job is ideal for housewives particularly.

5. Private Clinic

Just like an MBBS doctor, a homeopathic doctor can also practice in a private clinic. Private clinics of homeopathic doctors are much more profitable in Pakistan.

Government Jobs for Homeopathic Doctors

The scope of BHMS is phenomenal in Pakistan. When it comes to government jobs the profession. Then yes, government hospitals recruit homeopathic medical officers. There is a post for a homeopathic research officer in the National Health Lab, Islamabad. Other firms to recruit homeopathic doctors include Oil & Gas Corporation, State Life Insurance Corporation, and many other corporate agencies. The homeopathic organizations are shedding light on the importance of vacancies for homeopathic doctors in Basic Health Units. The efforts are being made at the provincial level.

Salary Pattern of a Homeopathic Doctor in Pakistan

The remuneration of home doctors also advocates the scope of BHMS in Pakistan. BPS-15 and 16 are the pay scales for homeopathic doctors in Pakistan. Therefore, they can earn PKR 30,000 to 37,000 per month. Bonus and increments are also granted. However, these doctors can make money through private practice also.

BHMS in Peshawar

Currently, there are two institutes in Peshawar offering degrees in BHMS. However, four homeopathic colleges offer DHMS programs in Peshawar namely,

Frontier Homeopathic Medical College
Khushhal Khan Khattak Homeopathic Medical College
Peshawar Homeopathic Medical College
Premier Homeopathic Medical College

BHMS in Punjab

There are a total of 86 NCH-affiliated homeopathic medical colleges in Punjab. All of these teach DHMS. Because of the trending scope of BHMS in Pakistan, some of these also teach BHMS programs. While others are on the way to starting their degree.

Top Institutes to Offer BHMS Degrees in Pakistan

DHMS is enough to be a homeopathic doctor in Pakistan. Therefore, NCH accredits a total of 141 homeopathic colleges across Pakistan. All of these institutes offer DHMS. However, with the demanding scope of BHMS in Pakistan, many institutes have started the degree. Following are the top institutes to offer BHMS in Pakistan:

University College of Conventional Medicine, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur
Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science & Technology
Abbott Homeopathic Medical College, Abbottabad
Frontier Homeopathic Medical College Hayatabad, Peshawar
Pakistan Homeopathic Medical College, Lahore
Hazara Homeopathic Medical College
Sindh Homeopathic Medical College
Vertex College of Science & Technology, Abbottabad
Murree Homeopathic Medical College, Islamabad
Allied Homeopathic Medical College, Okara
Government College University, Faisalabad

Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery(BHMS)