To commemorate World Homoeopathy Week, the Department of Homoeopathy in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), will be opening its clinic at no cost to the public. The DUT Homoeopathic Community Health Centre, which is situated at the Ritson campus in Durban, will offer free services for a limited time, from Monday, 07 April 2025 to Friday, 11 April 2025. The entrance is at Gate 6, Steve Biko Road.
DUT Homoeopathy Master’s student,Tertia Vermooten conducting a physical examination.
Throughout the week, DUT senior homoeopathy students, under the supervision of registered homoeopathic practitioners, will be conducting free consultations, physical examinations and essential health tests, including: blood sugar testing, urine analysis, blood pressure checks and Body Mass Index (BMI) assessments. These services will be available at the clinic during the following times: Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 08h30 to12h30. Tuesday and Thursday: 12h30 to 16h30. For smooth and efficient service, bookings are highly recommended via WhatsApp on 072 894 6565.
According to Dr Shraddha Sirpal, a Specialist Lab Technician at the Department of Homoeopathy, World Homoeopathy Week is a global celebration that honours the birth of Dr Samuel Hahnemann, the visionary founder of Homoeopathy.
“Born on 10 April 1755 in Germany, Dr Hahnemann was far ahead of his time. Disillusioned by the harsh and often ineffective medical practices of his era, he sought a safe, gentle and holistic approach to healing. One that treats the root cause of disease rather than just its symptoms. Homoeopathy is based on the principle of ‘like cures like’ a concept that resonates deeply across cultures. In isiZulu, the proverb ‘iva likhishwa ngelinye iva’ using a thorn to remove another thorn, beautifully captures this principle. By using highly-diluted natural substances, homoeopathy stimulates the body’s own healing ability, restoring balance on physical, mental, and emotional levels,” explained Dr Sirpal.
She further explained that World Homoeopathy Day, celebrated on 10 April each year, is a time when homoeopaths worldwide pay tribute to Dr Hahnemann’s remarkable contribution to medicine. To honour his legacy, DUT is dedicating an entire week to celebrating the impact of homoeopathy and making the benefits of homoeopathic treatment broadly and easily available.
“From 07-11 April 2025, we will be making the services of our DUT Homoeopathic Community Health Centre available to the public free of charge. This initiative aims to raise awareness around homoeopathy while empowering individuals to take control of their health. Through free consultations, physical examinations and other health assessments, we seek to help people understand their bodies better, to identify underlying causes of illness, and to allow the public experience the benefits of homoeopathic treatment firsthand,” reiterated Dr Sirpal.
Associate Professor at the DUT Department of Homeopathy, Professor Ashley Ross said their mission is to make holistic, patient-centered healthcare accessible to all. By offering free consultations and health screenings during World Homoeopathy Week, Prof Ross said they aim to raise awareness on what Homoeopathy is and what it can treat. He said they will also assist the public with understanding their illness and formulating a treatment plan.
“We aim to honour the legacy of Dr Samuel Hahnemann who dedicated his life to developing a healing system that treats the root cause of disease rather than just symptoms. By providing free healthcare services, we pay tribute to his vision of compassionate and holistic healing. In addition, our senior students will gain invaluable hands-on experience in patient care, refining their skills while serving the community. This prepares them to be compassionate and skilled homoeopathic practitioners in the future. They are taught to approach each patient with compassion, integrity, professionalism, and respect, which are key values that the DUT ENVISION2030 emphasises in the development of well-rounded, professional and adaptive graduates,” added Prof Ross.
Through this initiative, DUT hopes to build a bridge between homoeopathy and the public, promoting a greater understanding and appreciation of this natural form of medicine.
The DUT Homoeopathic Community Health Centre offers detailed consultations, physical examination and diagnostic testing, personalised homoeopathic treatments, referral to other healthcare professionals and biopuncture, a homoeopathic pain management therapy.
Pictured: DUT Homoeopathy Master’s student, Siphesihle Mchunu preparing Arnica Montana for a patient.
Simangele Zuma
