Board warns against defaming Homoeopaths

DIMAPUR, JUL 17 (NPN): Board of Homoeopathy System of Medicine (BHSM), Nagaland, has urged media organisations, institutions and the public to refrain from making defamatory or misleading statements against registered homoeopathic practitioners, citing a recent advisory issued by the National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH).
In a statement, deputy director and registrar BHSM, Health & Family Welfare directorate, Dr. T. Bendangtula, highlighted a June 8, 2026 circular issued by the Board of Ethics and Registration for Homoeopathy (BERN) under NCH regarding the prevention of derogatory and misleading statements against homoeopathy and its registered practitioners.
The circular reiterated that homoeopathy is a legally recognised system of medicine under NCH Act, 2020. It noted that Sec 33 and 34 of the Act authorise practitioners enrolled in the National or State Register to practise homoeopathy in accordance with the law.
According to BHSM, NCH 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” for duly registered homoeopathic practitioners. The Commission clarified that such statements may be defamatory, misleading and damaging to the professional reputation of registered practitioners and could invite action under applicable laws.
The circular advised individuals, institutions, media and other stakeholders to exercise due diligence while making public statements relating to homoeopathy and its practitioners, avoid language that was defamatory or prejudicial, and raise concerns regarding any individual practitioner through appropriate statutory, regulatory, disciplinary or legal mechanisms instead of making generalised allegations against the profession.
BHSM appealed to media, public institutions, healthcare organisations and public to communicate information relating to homoeopathy responsibly and in accordance with the law, while reaffirming its commitment to ethical medical practice, safeguarding public health and ensuring compliance with the National Commission for Homoeopathy Act, 2020, and other applicable laws.