The journey : towards the integration of traditional and complementary medicine in the Malaysian health care system

Zakiah I., . (2000) The journey : towards the integration of traditional and complementary medicine in the Malaysian health care system. [Proceedings Paper]

In the milestone progress of achieving the vision of Health for All by the 21st century WHO recognises the potential benefit of traditional medicine. Consequently in 1978 WHO launched the initiative to assess the health services provided by the traditional practitioners. It was then realised that a large proportion of the world population in both developed and developing countries still relies on the allopathic medicine but also traditional and complementary medical practitioners to satisfy primary health care needs. Subsequently in 1991 WHO promoted the integration of this practice into the national health care system worldwide. In Malaysia only 3.1 per cent of the sampled population in the 1996 National Health and Morbidity survey reported to the visited the traditional medical pratitioners. Yet the amount of capital spent on importing traditional herbs or plants used in allopathic medicine. The Ministry of Health MOH has initiated several activities as a first step on the journey to achieving such integration in the future Malaysian health care system. A committee that monitors the various practices is formed. From 1996 onwards there is compulsory registration of every traditional medicinal product to ensure the standard and quality of such products. Traditional medical practitioners are required to undergo standard acceptable training. A more important aspect of MOH initiatives is the initiation of evidence-based practice. MOH is very clear in the instruction that the exercise will eventually be self-regulating and MOH will continue to play the role as an advisor to the various professional groups of traditional and complementary medicine. This difficult task needs the full cooperation of all the parties involved. Besides the practitioners industries are also required to cooperate by their willingness to invest in research and development in particular. All have the responsibility to ensure that the consumers or public are or is protected when making the choice of treatment needed.

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Abstract

In the milestone progress of achieving the vision of Health for All by the 21st century WHO recognises the potential benefit of traditional medicine. Consequently in 1978 WHO launched the initiative to assess the health services provided by the traditional practitioners. It was then realised that a large proportion of the world population in both developed and developing countries still relies on the allopathic medicine but also traditional and complementary medical practitioners to satisfy primary health care needs. Subsequently in 1991 WHO promoted the integration of this practice into the national health care system worldwide. In Malaysia only 3.1 per cent of the sampled population in the 1996 National Health and Morbidity survey reported to the visited the traditional medical pratitioners. Yet the amount of capital spent on importing traditional herbs or plants used in allopathic medicine. The Ministry of Health MOH has initiated several activities as a first step on the journey to achieving such integration in the future Malaysian health care system. A committee that monitors the various practices is formed. From 1996 onwards there is compulsory registration of every traditional medicinal product to ensure the standard and quality of such products. Traditional medical practitioners are required to undergo standard acceptable training. A more important aspect of MOH initiatives is the initiation of evidence-based practice. MOH is very clear in the instruction that the exercise will eventually be self-regulating and MOH will continue to play the role as an advisor to the various professional groups of traditional and complementary medicine. This difficult task needs the full cooperation of all the parties involved. Besides the practitioners industries are also required to cooperate by their willingness to invest in research and development in particular. All have the responsibility to ensure that the consumers or public are or is protected when making the choice of treatment needed.

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Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	Available at Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM Serdang Selangor Malaysia. RS164 S471 1999 Call Number
AGROVOC Term:	DRUG PLANTS
AGROVOC Term:	TRADITIONAL MEDICINES
AGROVOC Term:	DRUGS
AGROVOC Term:	HEALTH
AGROVOC Term:	WHO
AGROVOC Term:	MALAYSIA
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:27
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/15885

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