Establishment of Homoeopathic Information And Documentation Centre (HIDOC)

Abstract

The growing popularity of Homoeopathy all over the world has created a global interest fat development of a Homoeopathic lnformation 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 lnformation 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 lndian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy in lndia and need for establishment of a Hamoeopathic lnformation and Documentation Centre preferably by some existing Homoeopathic organisation Iike 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 an South East Asia Region, and also to create Online Information Services in Homoeopathy. lt 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 primer 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 lndia 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.