The Indian Homeopathic Medical Association (IHMA) will organize its first national convention and international conference -Organum 2005-on April 9 and 10 at Kozhikode in Kerala.

The event would be the first of its kind in the history of Indian homeopaths, and about 800 delegates from different parts of India and abroad are expected to participate in the programme, Dr. M G Oommen, national president of IHMA, told Pharmabiz.

Highlight of the event will be a two-day predictive homeopathy workshop by Dr. Prafull Vijayekar, one among the internationally acclaimed homeopath known for his methods with predictive homoeopathy. Further, eminent delegates will present various papers related to the latest happenings in the field of homeopathy. The entire event stretches over a month, and as part of the conference, IHMA plans to organize medical camps, exhibitions, public awareness campaigns, pre-post event conferences, tours and family meets, informed Dr. Oommen.

He said the homeopaths working in various states are facing many issues especially state specific problems like the proposed move to allow practice of homeopathy by other systems of practitioners of medicine through short term courses. Similarly, the homeopaths in Kerala face the problem of competition from unregistered and quack practitioners, as the state is yet to pass the proposed Kerala Medical Practitioners Bill. IHMA stands for practice of homeopathy by only qualified practitioners, and the meet would also discuss these kinds of issues, said Oommen.

Since there were not many associations in the national level to air the problems and to offer professional help, IHMA decided to operate in a national level. The association has emerged as the leading association for the homeopaths in the country, informed the national president.