Cautions against derogatory or misleading statements against practitioners and system
Kohima, July 17 (MExN): The Board of Homoeopathy System of Medicine (BHSM) Nagaland, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare has called on media organisations, public institutions, healthcare organisations and the general public to refrain from making derogatory or misleading statements against Homoeopathy and duly registered Homoeopathic practitioners.
In a press release, the Board drew attention to a June 8, 2026 circular issued by the Board of Ethics and Registration for Homoeopathy (BERH) under the National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH), which reiterates that Homoeopathy is a legally recognised system of medicine under the National Commission for Homoeopathy Act, 2020.
According to the Board, Sections 33 and 34 of the Act confer the right to practise Homoeopathy on practitioners duly enrolled in the National or State Register, in accordance with the provisions of the law.
The National Commission, it stated, has observed instances of defamatory, misleading and unsubstantiated statements being circulated through print, electronic, digital and social media, including the use of the term "quack" to describe duly registered Homoeopathic practitioners.
The Commission has clarified that such statements may be misleading, defamatory and harmful to the professional reputation of registered practitioners, and could attract action under applicable laws, the release stated.
The BERH circular advises individuals, institutions, media organisations and other stakeholders to exercise due diligence while making public statements relating to Homoeopathy and its practitioners, avoid language that is defamatory, misleading or prejudicial, and raise concerns regarding the conduct of individual practitioners through appropriate statutory, regulatory, disciplinary or legal mechanisms rather than making generalised statements against the profession.
The Board appealed to all stakeholders to ensure that information relating to Homoeopathy is communicated responsibly and in accordance with the law. It added that constructive criticism and legitimate regulatory action should be pursued through established legal and professional frameworks.
Reaffirming its commitment to ethical medical practice, the Board said it would continue to work towards safeguarding public health and ensuring compliance with the National Commission for Homoeopathy Act, 2020, and other applicable laws.
