Arrr! The scurvy WHO be singin' praises o' homeopathy, callin' it an 'integral resource' in medicine. Ahoy, mateys!
2023-08-16
Arrr, me hearties! On Saturday, the mighty World Health Organization be givin' their seal o' approval to us scurvy dogs, endorsin' the use o' homeopathic treatments! From the likes o' acupuncture, ayurveda, herbal medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy, and more, they be givin' us a treasure trove o' options, me mateys!
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently started endorsing alternative medicines, including homeopathic medicine, through its social media platforms. The WHO stated that traditional medicine is often the first choice for health and well-being for millions of people around the world. They believe that traditional medicine, rooted in indigenous knowledge and natural resources, has been a vital resource for households for centuries. The organization aims to strengthen the evidence base of traditional medicine, ensuring its safety and efficacy.The WHO listed various examples of traditional medicines, including acupuncture, ayurveda, herbal medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy, osteopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, and Unani medicine. Homeopathy, developed in 1796 by German physician Samuel Hahnemann, was specifically mentioned.
The endorsement of alternative medicines by the WHO was published in support of its newly established Global Centre for Traditional Medicine, which was established in 2020 under the guidance of the Indian government. The center aims to build a solid evidence base for policies and standards on traditional medicine practices and products.
In response to the WHO's inclusion of homeopathy, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that no homeopathic drug products have been determined to be safe and effective. The United Kingdom's National Health Service also expressed opposition to homeopathic treatments, stating that there is no good-quality evidence to support their effectiveness.
The Indian Medical Association has previously referred to homeopathy, Unani medicine, and Ayurvedic treatments as "quackery." However, all three alternative medicine systems were explicitly mentioned in the WHO's social media posts celebrating traditional medicine.
Despite attempts to seek clarification from the WHO and its Global Centre for Traditional Medicine, no response was received in time for publication.