WHO takes strong stance against homeopathy

[DrS]

This has to be good news. The following is a rough translation of part of THIS article in El Pais. I don't know whether it's in the English press.

The World Health Organization has highlighted its opposition to homeopathic treatment for a range of illnesses with a high infant mortality index: AIDS, TB, malaria, common flu, and infantile diarrhoea. The organization has made its stance clear after a group of British and African doctors and investigators sent an open letter in June seeking its opinion on the effectiveness of homeopathy to prevent and treat these illnesses. The doctors who wrote the letter have as of yesterday contacted the Health Ministers of all countries to publicize and disseminate the WHO's position, and to urge the avoidance of homeopathy for the illnesses listed.

The doctors and investigators who wrote the letter are members of The Voice of Young Science, a movement that promotes scientific debate. In the main, the medics work in the poorest rural areas of developing countries. In their letter they explained the fight they undertake on a daily basis in search of treatments against illnesses which decimate the population of these regions. They also made clear their own position: the use of homeopathy for serious conditions puts many lives at risk. ...

The WHO's response has been unanimous: homeopathy is not effective for the prevention or cure of AIDS, TB, common flu, malaria or infantile diarrhoea. Joe Martines, the organization's Infant Health Dept director, noted that there is "no proof that homeopathy has any benefit in treating diarrhoea in children. It does not focus on dehydration, and this flies in the face of scientific bases and recommendations for treatment of this illness". Experts in other illnesses agreed in their estimation of homeopathy.

[bindeweede]

This has to be good news. The following is a rough translation of part of THIS article in El Pais. I don't know whether it's in the English press.

BBC article appeared late last night.

People with conditions such as HIV, TB and malaria should not rely on homeopathic treatments, the World Health Organization has warned.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8211925.stm

[DrS]

Thankyou BW.

[NorthernSoul]

"no proof that homeopathy has any benefit in treating diarrhoea in children. It does not focus on dehydration,

Water doesn't rehydrate?

[chaggle]

Water doesn't rehydrate?

Thanks NS. That has brightened my morning

[polomint38]

This is good but the WHO should be putting out a statement that homeopathy is not suitable for any conditions. But it is a good start.

[Blue Wode]

This is good but the WHO should be putting out a statement that homeopathy is not suitable for any conditions.

Quite. Does anyone know if the WHO still has a strategic plan to include homeopathy in "facilitating integration of TM/CAM into national health care systems"?
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2002/WHO_EDM_TRM_2002.1.pdf

This 2005 SKEPP article was pretty scathing about the WHO's intentions:

Beware of Quacks at the WHO: Objecting to the WHO Draft Report on Homeopathy
http://tinyurl.com/lmawxu

[Mulder]

Water doesn't rehydrate?

You need to replace certain salts as well, hence the stuff you can buy from the chemists.

[xris]

How do you replace the self healing effects these have on their users with integrity,is more the point. Its found in many cases the trigger to healing, is belief in the medicines benefits. These have served their purpose but its done with more and more outrageous claims, to the point they need to be classified as quackery.

[Nukapai]

That Beeb article had an added bit to provide a counter-argument:

However Paula Ross, chief executive of the Society of Homeopaths, said it was right to raise concerns about promotion of homeopathy as a cure for TB, malaria or HIV and Aids.
But she added: "This is just another poorly wrapped attempt to discredit homeopathy by Sense About Science.
"The irony is that in their efforts to promote evidence in medicine, they have failed to do their own homework.
"There is a strong and growing evidence base for homeopathy and most notably, this also includes childhood diarrhoea."

Really? I'd like to see this "growing evidence base".

[polomint38]

"There is a strong and growing evidence base for homeopathy and most notably, this also includes childhood diarrhoea."

Surely a cork would work better, although the build up of pressure could be a problem.

silly joke

[Trinoc]

Actually, the main danger from childhood diarrhoea is dehydration, and of course drinking more contaminated water can make it worse, so pure homeopathic water would be a handy part of a treatment. Unfortunately you also need salt and sugar to make an effective treatment, and homeopathic quantities of these would not do any good at all.

[DaveWood]

I don't know if this picture has done the rounds already:

http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/up...Homeopathy.jpg

[Mojo]

Actually, the main danger from childhood diarrhoea is dehydration, and of course drinking more contaminated water can make it worse, so pure homeopathic water would be a handy part of a treatment. Unfortunately you also need salt and sugar to make an effective treatment, and homeopathic quantities of these would not do any good at all.

Homeopathy is frequently administered as sugar pills, and certainly needs to be taken with a large pinch of salt...