Traditional and complementary medicine blueprint 2018-2027 launched

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Health (MOH) today launched the Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) Blueprint 2018-2027 (Health Care) as a guide through a systematic and sustainable approach in developing the T&CM industry for the coming ten years.
The blueprint was launched by Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam at the Institute for Health Management, here. Also present were Deputy Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya and the director- general of Health, Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
The minister said the enforcement of the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act 2016 (Act 775) had made Malaysia one of the very few countries to have enacted a unique piece of legislation that would regulate the diverse practices and practitioners of traditional and complementary medicine in the country.
"The Act has catalysed progress on many fronts of T&CM, notably in the areas of capacity building in research, governance, education and the regulation of T&CM products," he said.
The T&CM Blueprint 2018-2027 which is part one of a three-chapter document, in particular, focuses on the healthcare perspectives of T&CM while the economic and socio-cultural aspects are currently being looked into by the ministry.
Dr Subramaniam said the Blueprint represented the ministry's passion and continuous commitment to regulate and professionalise the practice and practitioners of T&CM in the country.
"It also presents the direction of which T&CM needs to strengthen its position in the national health care system on the basis of strong scientific evidence and to bring Malaysia closer to its National Health Care goals.
"Thirdly, it encourages the expansion of T&CM services and the co-existence of T&CM and modern medicine across all levels of health care.
"This will ultimately serve the betterment of the nation and lead to the achievement of Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals," he said.
The Blueprint has identified 17 challenges faced by the T&CM industry and these were categorised into four areas: practice, education and training, medicinal materials and products, and research.
In response to these challenges, six general directions were tailored to meet emerging health care needs and to address the issues and challenges of the industry.
The Blueprint further proposes 22 strategies and 52 action plans that are aligned with these general directions. It will cover an implementation period of 10 years and an interim review will be conducted after five years. — Bernama