WHO Congress on Traditional Medicine(2008 Beijing)

WHO Congress on Traditional Medicine has been held since November 7th 2008 in Beijing, Which is sponsored by Health Ministry of PRC and hosted by State Administration of Chinese Medicine of PRC.  The congress urged the integration of traditional medicine into national health care plans, saying patients would benefit from its use alongside modern medicine. "The knowledge of traditional medicine, treatments and practices should be respected, preserved, promoted and communicated widely and appropriately based on the circumstances in each country," said a joint declaration issued at the end of the World Health Organization Congress on Traditional Medicine. The party drew some 1,100 delegates from more than 80 nations.

Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO, Chen Zhu, Minister of Health ministry of PRC and Wang Guoqiang Vice-Minister of Health Ministry and Director-General of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of PRC attended the congress.

On the opening ceremony of the congress, Dr Margaret Chan said, “Both modern and traditional medicine have their advantages and weakness for health care, they can benefit each other among the community health care system instead of opposition.”

“In most part of Asia, Africa and Latin America, traditional medicine is commonly applied. Herbs and traditional therapy are the main medical treatment in some developing countries. The confirmation for safety of traditional medicine needs special research method, which draws the WHO’s attention.” Chan said,"Governments have a responsibility for the health of their people and should formulate national policies, regulations and standards, as part of comprehensive national health systems to ensure appropriate, safe and effective use of traditional medicine,"

Dr Chan is proud of that the Chinese government introduced the Chinese medical into main health care system. In the field of public health, preventing disease is more important than treating disease, which originates from Canon of Yellow Emperor (Huangdineijing). In China, in most of public hospitals, besides the routine treatment, Chinese herbs will also be applied for treating disease, which demonstrate the integration of traditional medicine and biomedicine.

Chen Zhu, Minister of Health Ministry of PRC said, “Chinese government gives more support on development of Chinese Medicine, and made a series of regulations for the protection of Chinese Medicine”

"The integration of traditional medicine into countries' health systems is one of the best ways to assure its appropriate and proper use by people and providers," said by Dr Carissa Etienne, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Systems and Services said. "This is a landmark declaration after a landmark congress," according to a WHO statement.

The congress has lasted for 3 days, which includes international forum on integration of TM/CAM in to health care system, symposium on Acupuncture and human health, symposium of Manual method of health care and the exhibition on Chinese Medicine etc. Joint Declaration of Beijing has also been issued during the congress.