CHINA TO ASSIST MALAYSIA IN DEVELOPING TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINES

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government will forge close
cooperation with China in developing complimentary traditional Chinese medicine
(TCM) in the country.

Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai, who had met and discussed the issue with
China's Deputy Health Minister Wang Guoqiang, said they had "come to an
agreement to set up a mechanism and working group to develop TCM in Malaysia".

"We need to ensure TCM in Malaysia can have a quantum leap and place it in
our mainstream of medical services. It is not only in terms of law and
regulations, there are many areas to focus on.

"So we need a working relationship with China where we can learn the Chinese
experience in handling this traditional complimentary medicine. At the policy
level, we have agreed for the two countries to establish a strong footing for
TCM in the country.

"In order to establish a strong footing of TCM practices we need regulation,
training, institutions, universities, TCM hospitals and more," explained Liow at
a press conference.

Currently three hospitals are already providing TCM as complimentary
services with four more hospitals to be ready by the end of the year.

During the discussion with the Chinese delegation, the Ministry also looked
into the possibility of introducing TCM as part of the H1N1 preventive measures.

"Right now, we need more preventive measures in place. So now we want to
introduce this Chinese Medicine. So as long as it's workable and is a preventive
measure, we will look into it and that will help us reduce the attack in the
H1N1 second wave," he said.
-- BERNAMA