Abstract

          The growing popularity of Homoeopathy all over the world has created a global interest for development of a Homoeopathic Information System. The paper highlights the state of development of Homoeopathy with particular reference to India and South East Asia , statistically reflecting possible information seekers/users and non-existence of any well equipped Information Centre catering to such professional informational needs of Homoeopathy in Asia. Attempts have been made to study and analyse the impact of Information Technology in the field of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy in India and need for establishment of a Homoeopathic Information and Documentation Centre preferably by some existing Homoeopathic organisation like Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH ) to strengthen bibliographical control of the country’s own technological output , to develop and promote the technical and organisational structure for exchange of data at international level with particular emphasis on South East Asia Region and also to create Online Information Services in Homoeopathy. It also describes the contours of areas to be covered by the proposed Information Centre. Its success depends much on the active efforts of the Librarians and Information Scientists not only in India but also in other countries engaged in the field of Homoeopathy . The existing Information System created at CCRH which is a premier organisation in India to conduct and assist research is playing a key role mainly in India. Suggestions and methods are discussed in this paper as to how it can be strengthened further to play a role at global level. The paper also highlights the realistic financial and administrative constraints in developing countries like India in implementing such major schemes and explore & suggest the possibility of developing HIDOC in phased manner seeking collaboration from International agencies involved in Health care & Human welfare.

          Science knows no boundary, no discrimination of race and religion. Homoeopathy, a health science discovered and originated in Germany in 1810 by one of its most illustrious sons of the 18th century named Dr. Samuel Hahnemann crossed the man made borders to enter India in 1839 through an ardent follower and advocate of this science born in the neighbouring country of France, Dr.John Martin Hoenigberger to treat one of the most powerful Maharajas of those days ruling the state of Punjab, is today one of the most popular alternative systems of health care in this country. It will not be an exaggeration if I say that Homoeopathy is more popular in India compared to place of its origin i.e. Germany or for that matter any other country in the world.

          Homoeopathy has like wise spread globally and there is hardly any country where there are no practitioners irrespective of whether state or legal protection exists or not. But it is a hard fact that no information and documentation centre with latest modern information technology and communication facilities is functioning at least in South East Asia. Therefore there is an urgent necessity to establish a Homoeopathic Information & Documentation Center (HIDOC) in this region and it should function as a central resource centre for disseminating Scientific information to Homoeopathic Scientists and develop information system for Homoeopathy within the Global Periphery with particular emphasis on South East Asia. To justify the necessity of its establishment , I may like to draw attention to the phase of development of this science in South East Asia but India first where this science is immensely popular.