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 the homeopathy, the scope of BHMS and DHMS, career opportunities, the best homeopathic colleges for BHMS in Pakistan, and much more interesting information.
What Is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy/ homeopathic medicine is an alternative medicine system. Samuel Hahnemann, a German doctor, founded the system in the 18th 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 are can be used for diluting 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 persons’ symptoms.
Table of Contents
What is the scope of homeopathy in Pakistan?
The majority of the people in Pakistan don’t prefer modern medicines. They prioritize home remedies, herbal or homeopathic medicines. The rate of using modern medicines in Pakistan has raised in the past few decades only. However, health organizations on the international level are raising voice to limit the use of antibiotics. Moreover, the trend is also moving towards the Eastern medicine system. Though homeopathy is different from eastern medicine systems. But uses natural sources. Therefore, homeopathy holds an eminent future. Consequently, it will boost up 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.
More details can be checked at www.nchpakistan.gov.pk
What is a Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery?
BHMS stands for Bachelor of Homeopathic and surgery. There are two types of BHMS programs that 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 the two-year program. After completing DHMS, the homeo 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 program 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 among the people to change their fields. Therefore, the age limit for DHMS is still 45 years. But the young generation is wise enough to opt 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 intermediate or even bachelors in science. DHMS is equivalent to BSc (Homeopathy). BHMS is a degree in homeopathy which 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. 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 for the profession. Then yes, government hospitals recruit homeopathic medical officers. There is a post for a homeopathic research officer in National Health Lab, Islamabad. Other firms to recruit homeopathic doctors to 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 done at the provincial level.
Salary Pattern of a Homeopathic Doctor in Pakistan
The remuneration of homeo doctors also advocates the scope of BHMS in Pakistan. BPS-15 and 16 are the pay scales for the 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, there are four homeopathic college that offers DHMS program 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 Degree 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
