The WHO perspective on integration of traditional medicine into health system

Abstract

The reality of health care systems is that there is a strong demand for traditional medicine (TM), as shown in the WHA 56.31 resolution on traditional medicine in 2003 the popular use of TM demonstrates that it is widely accessible, affordable, and culturally accepted in large parts of developing countries, especially in Africa, Asia and Latin America, where TM is often deeply rooted in the local culture. In Europe and North America, people are increasingly using TM as complementary to or as an alternative for western medicine (WM) treatments. TM has a distinct appeal to broad populations of people. TM systems often have specific theories, diagnoses and treatments which may be different than the methods and treatments of WM. Recognizing these differences, it is essential to understand that both systems of TM and WM have their advantages and weakness. The advantage of TM may be found in their utilization for chronic diseases, improving quality of life and health maintenance, as well as for some health conditions that could not be treated well with WM. There are significant challenges facing this integration. There is lack of appropriate standards and measures to control the quality of TM, especially herbal medicines. There is also a lack of appropriate accepted research methodology to evaluate TM based on TM characteristics. Therefore, the cooperation and collaboration between the experts of both TM and WM is necessary. WHO encourages countries to integrate TM into health systems so that patients will obtain the health benefits from both TM and WM. In support of integrating TM into their existing health systems, WHA 62.13 resolution on TM adopted in May 2009 urges the Member States to respect, preserve and communicate, as appropriate, the knowledge of traditional medicine, treatments and practices, appropriately based on the circumstances in each country, and on evidence of safety, efficacy and quality; to consider, where appropriate, including traditional medicine into their national health systems based on national capacities, priorities, relevant legislation and circumstances, and on evidence of safety, efficacy and quality; to further develop traditional medicine based on research and innovation, giving due consideration to the specific actions related to traditional medicine in the implementation of the Global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property resolution which was adopted in 2008. This abstract can be surmised by a statement made by Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO, during the WHO Congress on Traditional Medicine in 2008. “The two systems of traditional and western medicine need not clash. Within the context of primary health care, they can blend together in a beneficial harmony, using the best features of each system, and compensating for certain weaknesses in each.”