Great Loss to Homeopaths Everywhere!

Yesterday, I heard some very sad news...one of our most gifted Homeopaths died in the middle of December 2010.  Dr. D.P. Rastogi was well-known around the world as a Master Homeopath, teacher, clinician, researcher and exemplary human being.

Dr. Rastogi led the first clinical trial looking at using Homeopathic medicine to treat people living with HIV or AIDS.  This was the first time I ever heard of his name.  At the time, I was still a student at the Toronto School of Homeopathic Medicine.  I was doing research on using Homeopathic Medicine to Treat People Living with HIV/AIDS.  I came across some of his research.  Specifically, I noticed he was one of the investigators of an important study of the role of Homeopathy in HIV/AIDS.  (D.P. Rastogi, V.P Singh, V. Singh, et al., "Evaluation of Homoeopathic Treatment in 129 Asymptomatic HIV Carriers," British Homoeopathic Journal, January 1993, 82:4-8.)

I had the priviledge to meet Dr. Rastogi in October 2008 while I was still working at the Toronto People with AIDS foundation as a Treatment Counsellor.  Dr. Rastogi was gracious enough to include People Living with HIV/AIDS in Toronto in a study he was conducting comparing people with HIV who are just taking Anti-Retroviral medications with those on these medications as well as Homeopathy.  So, for 5 days in October in both 2008 and 2009 I had the opportunity to sit with Dr. Rastogi taking the cases of HIV-positive people.  We both donated our services.  I would take the cases while Dr. Rastogi would be using his homeopathic software to come up with the best medicine for each patient.

After Dr. Rastogi left, I would conduct the follow-up appointments.  I was hugely impressed by his prescribing skills.  We saw good results in the areas of improving wellness (unique symptoms experienced by each patient), gradually increasing CD4 counts and reducing side effects of AIDS meds.

I have always realized how important this experience has been for me both personally and professionally.  Dr. Rastogi and I both shared a desire to work with HIV-positive people and a firm belief that Homeopathic medicine can help with wellness.  This opportunity really fell into my lap and I realize how rare this opportunity and how rare of an individual Dr. Rastogi was.  He was generous, patient, kind and non-judgemental.  I learnt so much from him.

This is a huge loss to the Homeopathic community and his work in treating people with HIV/AIDS.  I am honoured to have met him and learnt from him.  In his name, I will continue to blaze the trail of homeopathic treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS.  I will think of him and thank him as I teach my first class on Homeopathy and HIV/AIDS in early February.

I am including an obituary from the World Homeopathic Community below;

http://www.homeopathyworldcommunity.com/profiles/blogs/an-obituary-dr-d-p-rastogi-a