This was due a long time now:
the World Health Organization (WHO) denounced homeopathy and labelled it ineffective and not suitable as a cure for ailments such as cancer, malaria, AIDS, and even diarrhoea -a favorite among homeopaths. As the
BBC reported:
People with conditions such as HIV, TB and malaria should not rely on homeopathic treatments, the World Health Organization has warned.
[...]
In a letter to the WHO in June, the medics from the UK and Africa said: “We are calling on the WHO to condemn the promotion of homeopathy for treating TB, infant diarrhoea, influenza, malaria and HIV.
“Homeopathy does not protect people from, or treat, these diseases.
“Those of us working with the most rural and impoverished people of the world already struggle to deliver the medical help that is needed.
“When homeopathy stands in place of effective treatment, lives are lost.”
Dr Robert Hagan is a researcher in biomolecular science at the University of St Andrews and a member of Voice of Young Science Network, which is part of the charity Sense About Science campaigning for “evidence-based” care.
He said: “We need governments around the world to recognise the dangers of promoting homeopathy for life-threatening illnesses.
“We hope that by raising awareness of the WHO’s position on homeopathy we will be supporting those people who are taking a stand against these potentially disastrous practices.”
Dr Mario Raviglione, director of the Stop TB department at the WHO, said: “Our evidence-based WHO TB treatment/management guidelines, as well as the International Standards of Tuberculosis Care do not recommend use of homeopathy.”
The doctors had also complained that homeopathy was being promoted as a treatment for diarrhoea in children.
But a spokesman for the WHO department of child and adolescent health and development said: “We have found no evidence to date that homeopathy would bring any benefit.
“Homeopathy does not focus on the treatment and prevention of dehydration - in total contradiction with the scientific basis and our recommendations for the management of diarrhoea.”
Dr Nick Beeching, a specialist in infectious diseases at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, said: “Infections such as malaria, HIV and tuberculosis all have a high mortality rate but can usually be controlled or cured by a variety of proven treatments, for which there is ample experience and scientific trial data.
“There is no objective evidence that homeopathy has any effect on these infections, and I think it is irresponsible for a healthcare worker to promote the use of homeopathy in place of proven treatment for any life-threatening illness.”
Well done to “
Sense about Science” once again, and the
WHO for finally doing something right…
Of course some supporters of this ultimate woo that is homeopathy, tried to defend themselves citing the evidence-base that favors homeopathy…
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.”
HAHAHAHAHAHA! And
the misinformation meter has
just blown! Paula Ross (CEO apparently!) gets nominated for three awards at once: the award for
being-the-most-out-of-touch-with-reality; the award for
being-the-least-capable-of-understanding-science (also known as
scientificus ignoramus award); and the award for
producing-the-most-blatant-misinformation-statement-of-the-day. Vote now!
Hm, anyway, more on the diarrhoea thing in the coming days.
Stay tuned for more laughing at homeopaths!
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