WHO backs greater use of traditional medicine in Asia

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Thursday, September 13 1:13 PM SGT

WHO backs greater use of traditional medicine in Asia

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Sept 13 (AFP) -

The World Health Organizationhas called for traditional medicine to be

integrated into mainstream health services in the Asia-Pacific region, but

said standards must be developed.

" Traditional medicine has been practised in parts of the region for

thousands of years. Because of the wealth of experience and knowledge

accumulated over the centuries, the Western Pacific Region is in a position

to lead the world, " a WHO press statement said.

Members of the WHO's regional committee are attending an annual meeting this

week here in the capital of Brunei to assess the UN agency's work and map

out future strategies.

" Since the introduction of modern medicine into the countries of the region,

traditional medicine had in most cases been rejected by mainstream health

services, " the statement said.

The WHO took note of the contributions of traditional medicine -- which

includes herbal treatments, acupuncture and other practices -- to public

health, as well as the economic role it plays in the region.

" What we do in our region will have an impact on the practice and acceptance

of traditional medicine throughout the world, " said Shigeru Omi, WHO

Regional Director for the Western Pacific region.

In a report to the regional committee, Omi said WHO had developed a more

comprehensive traditional medicine program in the region.

It now includes such areas as standardization of traditional medicine,

control of heavy metal and pesticide residues in herbal medicines,

monitoring adverse reactions to herbal medicines, conservation of plants

with medicinal value and intellectual property rights.

The committee endorsed a regional strategy for the development of national

traditional medicine programs, including the establishment of standards and

promotion of research into " evidence-based " practices.

Despite extensive practice, traditional medicine is not always included as

part of the health system recognized by the governments in the region.

" There are still many countries where traditional medicine's potential role

to improve health and health services, as well as its possible role in

social and economic development, is neglected, " the statement said.

The WHO's call came amid growing recognition in some Asian countries of the

value -- and economic potential -- of traditional medicine.

Singapore is planning to invest heavily in traditional Chinese medicine,

with one proposal calling on the city-state to pour 100 million US dollars

into research and education, according to a local press report.

The proposal will be submitted to the predominantly ethnic Chinese country's

Biomedical Research Council, which is armed with 800 million dollars in

funding.

LINK:

http://asia.dailynews./headlines/asia/afp/article.html?s=asia/headlines\

/010913/asia/afp/WHO_backs_greater_use_of_traditional_medicine_in_Asia.html

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