Homoeopathy in Kerala
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 1998 Mar / Apr VOL VII NO 2.
Dr Thomas Kuruvilla
The Department of Homoeopathy, Government of Kerala, formed on 30/4/73, completing 25 years in April 1998. Kerala is the first state in India to form a separate Homoeo Directorate. This speaks volumes for the popularity and acceptance of Homoeopathy in the state.
Gabriel Malpan, a missionary, brought Homoeopathy to Kerala from Mangalore. He was an admirer of Horningburgeur who brought this system to India. Due to the simplicity of its principles and similarity with the spiritual tradition of the state, it soon caught attention of the people for its clinical efficacy, easy administration and low cost.
The first government Homoeo dispensary was opened in 1958 at east Forest, Trivandrum, in the adjacent compound of the famous Shree Padnabha temple [the presiding deity of the city]. This dispensary was upgraded to a hospital in 1971, and a spacious building was constructed in 1986. In 1992 the Directorate was shifted to this building and today it has become a landmark of Homoeopathy in Kerala.
Due to persistent public demand, dispensaries and hospitals were opened every year. Dr K Z George was the first asst. director. He remained in the saddle for 11 years. He received the National Homoeopath award in 1986 with his dynamism and vision he was instrumental in laying a strong foundation for the department. By 1972 there were 64 dispensaries and 4 hospitals. Now as on 31/3/98 there are 449 dispensaries and 31 hospitals, one medicine manufacturing unit, 12 district offices [there are 14 districts and 2 more offices at Kunnur and Waynad will be opened next year. The total budget allotment which was Rs 67.8 lakhs in 1973 has crossed Rs 10 crores.
In this silver jubilee year, the endeavour of the dept in Kerala should be to evolve working models of emergency healthcare by utilizing Homoeopathy and adjutants to the hilt. Our association has drawn up an elaborate plan to start pilot projects for immunization, starting of special clinics for diseases for which Hom alone works orientation courses for doctors [CME], day to day administration etc. The directorate is not even willing to celebrate this once in a life time occasion like the silver jubilee.
Yet we are hopeful that something monumental will came up to commemorate this most auspicious occasion. We want the blessings of Homoeopaths of India to accomplish our task.
