Diploma and Certificate Courses Offered

Overview of the Courses

Naturopathy

A 2-year lecture course includes practical in-clinic internship leading to an Abha Light Diploma in Naturopathy (ADN).

Accreditation
The course is affiliated with Naturopathy in India and recognized by the Kenya Institute of Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health.

Homeopathy

A 2-year lecture course includes practical in-clinic internship leading to an Abha Light Diploma.

Accreditation
Graduates are awarded a Diploma in Homeopathy, ADHom. The course is affiliated with London College of Practical Homeopathy (LCPH) in UK and recognized by the Kenya Institute of Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health. This qualification demonstrates that the graduate has attained the academic and practical skill as a Homoeopathic Practitioner. Graduates will also be awarded Membership of the Centre For Homoeopathic Education as will external graduates who complete the Practitioner Development Course. These qualifications enable graduates to be registered with one of the professional registered bodies.

Herbology
(African & International)

A 2-year lecture course includes practical in-clinic internship leading to an Abha Light Diploma in herbology (ADTM).

Reflexology

This 14 session course (in 3 months) covers Reflexology, Anatomy & Physiology as it relates to reflexology.

Certification
Students passing the examination will receive an Abha Light Diploma in Reflexology (RDA)

Course Structure

In all three disciplines- Naturopathy, Homeopathy and Herbology - students share certain common units: Anatomy & Physiology, Clinical Diagnosis & Clinical Preparation, Physiological Pathology and Life Skills. All students gain a basic knowledge of the fundamentals of Reflexology, Nutrition and Naturopathy. Each discipline also gains some introductory knowledge of the other practices. This approach enables all students to be specialized in a particular discipline yet be familiar with all aspects of Natural Medicine.

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Homeopathy  
Year 1 Year 2
Homeopathy 1 Homeopathy 2
Homeopathic Materia Medica 1 Homeopathic Materia Medica 2
Homeopathic Pharmacy Homeopathic Pharmacy
Naturopathy Reflexology
Basic Counsellng Skills Nutrition
Anatomy & Physiology Physiological Pathology
  Clinical Preparation & Diagnosis
  Entrepreneurship
Herbology
Year 1 Year 2
Introduction &History of Herbology  
Phytotherapy1 Phytotherapy2
Herbal Materia Medica 1 Herbal Materia Medica 2
Naturopathy Reflexology
Basic Counsellng Skills Nutrition
Anatomy & Physiology Physiological Pathology
  Clinical Preparation & Diagnosis
  Entrepreneurship

Internship
All students of each discipline will spend ½ year in a supervised clinical environment to enhance their learning and impart practical experience.

Unit Descriptions

Anatomy & Physiology
Describes the structure and function of the human body. Examines some of the body systems, describing structure and function of cells, tissues and the endocrine, musculoskeletal and central nervous systems. Students explore anatomical structures on models and computers. Provides the basis to an understanding of the human body, both normal and diseased. Focuses on medical physiology.

Basic Counselling Skills
Communication between people satisfies a wide range of needs. For professionals working in human service delivery being able to communicate effectively at an interpersonal level is absolutely critical if they are to reach their work goals. This unit has three foci: communication, interpersonal skills and crisis management. In the process of covering these topics, opportunities are provided for the student to continue their understanding of self and to grow personally. A number of crises are considered theoretically and practically to provide context to interpersonal processes.

Clinical Preparation & Diagnosis
Provides a comprehensive introduction to clinical diagnosis, an essential component of naturopathic clinical practice. This unit provides skills in critical thinking, understanding of the common manifestations of disease and a systematic approach to reaching a clinical diagnosis based upon a reasoned judgment of the presentation. The material will be presented in a problem-based learning format. This unit is to develop critical analytical skills as the core component of clinical reasoning.

Provides a comprehensive introduction to clinical skills required in the holistic assessment of the individual with particular emphasis on physical examination. Practical methods for the management of common problems encountered in clinical practice will also be studied. Involvement in the student clinic that commenced in Clinical Preparation I wilt be maintained and expanded.

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management
Students learn how to run a small clinic effectively, simply accounting and bookkeeping, learn the system of taxes, how to effectively promote their clinic.

Herbal Materia Medica 1
Materia Medica. Provides knowledge of the herbal materia medica, the study of actions and indications of medicinal plants. This is core knowledge for the practice of phytotherapy.

Herbal Materia Medica 2
Materia Medica. Provides knowledge of the herbal materia medica, the study of actions and indications of medicinal plants. This is core knowledge for the practice of phytotherapy.

Homeopathic Materia Medica 1
Study of the major medicines in the materia medica will continue on a case-basis throughout the unit. Study of the Materia Medica will continue, with specific reference to medicines with a particular affinity for various body systems. The holistic profile of these medicines will at all times be considered, in addition to their affinities to particular systems.

Homeopathic Materia Medica 2
Study of the major medicines in the materia medica will continue on a case-basis throughout the unit. Study of the Materia Medica will continue, with specific reference to medicines with a particular affinity for various body systems. The holistic profile of these medicines will at all times be considered, in addition to their affinities to particular systems.

Homeopathy 1
Theory and Philosophy. Covers the origins, theory and practice of homeopathy. Students will learn methods and approaches for analysing a simple case history and selecting a medicine. Study of the materia medica will commence, based on cases.

Homeopathy 2
Case-taking, Case analysis and Treatment. Builds knowledge of the treatment of acute and chronic disease. There will be intensive study of case-taking, prescription and case-management of complex cases involving long-established illness and multiple conditions. Prescription, Case Management, Prognosis and Supplementary topics. Further consolidates understanding of the principles and practice of homeopathy.

Naturopathy
Provides students with supervised clinical experience in integrated naturopathic practice combining phytotherapy, nutrition, homceopathy and tactile therapies within a student clinic. Within this supervised environment the student clinician will be responsible for case management and planning. Case discussions and both written and oral case presentations are an ongoing feature of the clinical experience.

Nutrition
Methods/Basic Food Science. A comprehensive introduction to nutritional science, providing an overview of nutritional requirements, nutritional assessment and methods and basic food science. The role of food within economic, ecological, social and political frameworks will be explored.

Diet Therapy and Nutritional Pharmacology. Provides the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to design and prescribe diets in clinical practice. A critical comparative review of cultural and popular diets will be taken as the core component of this unit. Provides an overview of the pharmacological role and clinical application of nutrients in the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of disease. It covers the indications, contraindications, safety, efficacy, toxicology and form and dosage of nutrients used in clinical practice.

Physiological Pathology
Focuses on the body's cellular level responses to disease and to the disease processes that originate from cellular malfunction and on pathology at the level of the organs. In addition there will be aspects of pharmacological principles of drug action considered A variety of disorders of several body systems including respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, endocrine, digestive and reproductive systems will be studied in lectures and in laboratory settings in order to unify pathological concepts of disease.

Phytotherapy 1
Introduction to Herbal Medicine. A comprehensive introduction to phytotherapy, the study of plants and healing agents. The unit is based on study of the African & International Herbal Traditions. The course will cover the history and philosophical framework of African & International Herbal Medicine, its language and modern application.

Phytotherapy 2
Plant Identification and Pharmacy. Provides the knowledge and practical skill development required to identify common medicinal plants, the principles of herbal manufacturing and pharmacy and an introduction to the herbal materia medica. Therapeutics. Integrates previous learning in the phytotherapy strand and prepares the student for clinical practice. Clinical problems in each body system will form the basis for study within this unit.

Reflexology
Reflexology or therapeutic foot massage is a basic skill in massage healing.

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Assessment

Assessment of the student will take place in the form of short tests, term-end exams, written work, casework, clinical assessments and self assessments. There will be ongoing personal and tutorial supervision. The student will be required to complete the graduation criteria.

Textbooks

Students receive basic course lessons as part of the tuition. However there are a number of books which are required or helpful for study which the student must buy separately. Lending books are available through the Abha Light library with a deposit. Students should prepare approximately Ksh 10000 for books.

Homeopathic Remedies & Kits

Homeopathic remedies and kits can be bought through Abha Light's dispensary. Contact the office for more information.

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