CHINA: WHO traditional medicine push highlights common ground for China and Africa

Record ID: 455449

  • Title: CHINA: WHO traditional medicine push highlights common ground for China and Africa
  • Date: 8th November 2008
  • Summary: (AD1) BEIJING, CHINA (RECENT) (REUTERS) BEIJING VEGETABLE MARKET BITTER MELON ON STALL COUNTER VENDOR PUTTING BITTER MELONS INTO BAG VENDOR PASSING BITTER MELONS TO CUSTOMER AND TAKING MONEY TWO MEN IN RESTAURANT EATING PLATE OF COOKED BITTER MELON CHOPSTICKS TAKING PIECE OF BITTER MELON
  • Embargoed: 23rd November 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Health
  • Reuters ID: LVA32VUE0C81752ZUTG7HTPER9BZ
  • Story Text: The World Health Organisation hosts the largest ever congress on Traditional Medicine, bringing together representatives from over 70 countries with a large African presence.
    Health representatives from over 70 countries gathered in Beijing on Friday (November 7) to swap ideas on how to make traditional medicines, ranging from acupuncture to leech treatment, more widely available.
    The two-day World Health Organisation (WHO) event, built around seminars on regulatory standards and folk medicine in cultures from South Africa to Japan, is expected to end with member countries agreeing to expand traditional medicine in their healthcare systems.
    At the opening ceremony, WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said blending traditional and Western medicine could make each more effective.

    "The two systems of traditional and Western medicine need not clash. Within the context of primary healthcare, they can blend together in a beneficial harmony," Chan said.
    One point stressed by speakers was the need for greater scientific research to validate traditional medicines and practices.

    "While we acknowledge and appreciate the successful use of African traditional medicine from time immemorial in our continent, it is a fact that its full potential will not be realised without subjecting it to modern scientific scrutiny," said South African Deputy Minister of Health Dr.
    Molefi Sefularo.
    Traditional medicine is used throughout China, Africa and other developing countries, even with access to Western-style health care growing.
    It's popularity is also increasing in the developed world, where many look for a more personalised and comprehensive healthcare.
    Revenue from traditional medicine in Europe has reached more than 3 billion euros (3.82 billion USD), a WHO expert said. In China, the number for was more than 8 billion USD.
    In China, traditional medicine is used alongside modern medicine in most state hospitals, with doctors often prescribing a combination of the two, a practice the WHO wants to promote elsewhere.
    As Chinese economic and political influence increases on the African continent, so too will the influence of Chinese traditional medicine, Dr.
    Sefularo said.

    "As to the possible spread or increase of use or adoption of Chinese and other medicines on the African continent, I think that will follow trade and other human exchanges. Much in the same way that western medicine came to Africa, you know it followed trade, it followed other missions and other human exchanges. We believe an increase will follow. We hope it will be in a balanced way. It will be two-way," said Dr. Sefularo.
    Herbal and other treatments used in traditional medicine have sometimes been found to contain effective active ingredients that are then borrowed by Western medicine.
    The Chinese and other Asians have eaten bitter melon for centuries for a variety of ailments, including Malaria.
    Recent laboratory studies have shown that some species of the large bitter tasting fruit do indeed contain anti-malarial activity, though no human trials have been published.
    Artemisinin, a plant ingredient used in southern China for centuries to fight malaria, became regarded as the best treatment for the disease after research proved its ability to clear parasites quickly.
    Professor Drissa Diallo, Director of the Department for Traditional Medicine in Mali, where the increase in traditional Chinese medicine is already being felt, said Mali should grasp the opportunity to exchange ideas with China.

    "What we hope for is a collaboration between Malian, as well as African, and traditional Chinese medicine, so that we can profit from the transfer of technology from traditional Chinese medicine," Professor Diallo said.
    Acupuncture, a 2000-year-old Chinese practice now often used in mainstream medicine throughout the world, has become much more common in Mali, Diallo said.
    Acupuncture has been found to be as effective as drug treatments for several conditions, including hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms that can accompany breast cancer treatment, while producing fewer adverse side effects.
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