pha-exchange : Re: PHA-Exchange> Notice - Equal Recognition of Traditional Medicine Systems Needed

Friends,

I would agree that there is a great need for research on when and where traditional systems are superior and how to integrate them into modern health care systems. However, that is not the same as saying that when integration is achieved the patient's interests will always be served. Earlier this year in a review of how iron deficiency is being dealt with in China, I found that often the village doctors (who commonly provide both types of care) tend to offer traditional treatment with herbs (which tends to cost 150 yuan and is of uncertain efficacy) rather than iron tablets, which cost less than 4 yuan.

Regards,

Ted Greiner, Associate Professor

International Nutrition Research Group

Department of Women's and Children's Health

Uppsala University Academic Hospital, Entrance 11

751 85 Uppsala

Sweden

phone: +46 18 6115937

fax: +46 18 508013

email: Ted.Greiner@xxxxxxxxx

or ted_greiner@xxxxxxxxxxx

personal website: http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/3156

----Original Message Follows----

From: kireenmm

To: pha-exchange@xxxxxxxxxxx

CC: idris md

Subject: PHA-Exchange> Notice - Equal Recognition of Traditional Medicine Systems Needed

Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001 10:47:07 +0800

Dear PHA friends,

NOTICE

EQUAL RECOGNITION OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE SYSTEMS NEEDED

It was recently reported by a senior Singapore Government official that almost one in eight Singaporeans now prefers traditional medical treatment over established Western medicines. There were calls for increased research into these ancient cures. This is indeed laudable.

The WHO constitution has defined health as 'a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity'. Traditional systems of therapy are closer to this approach to health. Their focus is on the maintenance of health and well-being through holistic means rather than symptomatic treatment.

Besides, Singapore, many other countries are already promoting and integrating traditional systems of medicine into their national healthcare and delivery systems. For instance, in China, traditional medicine systems are officially recognized and integrated into the healthcare system. Hospitals and colleges have been designated for the training in traditional systems.

India, last year, doubled its budget for the promotion of traditional medicine practices such as ayurveda, sidha, unani, naturopathy, Tibetan medicine and homeopathy. The Minister of Health has also requested all ministries to recognize traditional systems in the reimbursement schemes of medical expenses for employees in the government sector.

Malaysia, being a multiracial country, has a rich base of traditional systems of healthcare which include Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous medicine. These non-Western or traditional systems of medicine were practised before the advent of the colonial era. With the advent of colonialism, they were gradually sidelined in favour of the allopathic concept of medicine. However, efforts are now being made to revive these age-old systems.

Many of our healthcare systems today are grounded on the allopathic or modern concept of medicine. The emphasis on private curative health measures, sophisticated technology and expensive drugs has given rise to increasingly exorbitant medical costs and the incidence of medical errors. Shortages of manpower in the various health sectors compound the problem.

We need to let go of the present obsession with the modern system of medicine and turn to other systems that do not depend on this sophisticated technology and other expensive modes of treatment delivery. Authorities are called upon to do more to raise the level of traditional systems of medicine to an equal footing with modern medicine. Among the measures that must be given emphasis are:

Ø an equal recognition of traditional systems of health in the existing healthcare system

Ø active promotion of traditional systems of medicine by the Ministries of Health in their national health programmes

Ø the creation of a laws, under a separate Act, to regulate all aspects of traditional medical systems, including the registration of traditional practitioners

Ø the provision of grants, incentives and other support mechanisms for training, research and setting up of facilities

Ø the setting up of traditional medicine colleges within the existing university framework

Ø the convening of national and international conferences on traditional medical systems to promote their importance and encourage further understanding of these health systems

Greater efforts are called for if we are to raise the status of traditional systems of medicine. Otherwise, these systems will continue to remain a "second class" healthcare option in the eyes of the medical personnel as well as the public at large.

Kireen

on behalf of:

S.M. Mohamed Idris,

President,

Consumers Association of Penang,

228, Jalan Macalister,

10400 Penang,

Malaysia.

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