Integrating Traditional and
Complementary Medicine (T/CM) Into the National Health Care: Current Situation in the
Philippines
INTRODUCTION
In the Philippines, much of
medical care is focused on primary health care, the first line of defense because
sense shows how minor diseases that could have been prevented if left unattended could
progress to the secondary and tertiary levels.
Since traditional and alternative health care
is abundant and therefore readily available, its viability as a much cheaper alternative
presents itself as an extremely attractive option. It has been established that a very
large number of Filipinos are aware of the medicinal values of a myriad of plants that
grow abundantly in the country.
ADMINISTRATION
The approval of Republic Act No. 8423
(R.A. 8423), otherwise known as the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of
1997, gave rise to the creation of the Philippine Institute of Traditional and
Alternative Health Care (PITAHC), a government-owned and controlled corporation
attached to the Department of Health (DOH) to answer the present needs of the people
on health care through the provision and delivery of traditional and alternative
health care (TAHC) products, services and technologies that have been proven safe,
effective and affordable.
PITAHC owns and operates four (4) herbal
pharmaceutical and processing plants (HPPs) which have been in existence for almost 18
years. These HPPs, which are situated in Tuguegarao, Tacloban, Davao and Cotabato
Cities, are manufacturing three (3) herbal medicines in dosage form namely, Lagundi
(Vitex negundo L.), Sambong (Blumea balsamifera (l.) DC.) and Tsaang-gubat (Ehretia
microphylla Lam.).
PRACTICE
At present, indigenous/folk medicine, use of herbal
medicines, massage therapy, acupuncture and other alternative modalities are
among the accepted forms of traditional and complementary medicine Chelation
Therapy, Homeopathy, Chiropractic, Nutritional Healing, Colonics, Hydrotherapy are
also being given by select group of alternative medical doctors. In order to accelerate the practice of certain modalities,
public review workshops focused on the draft competency standards, code of ethical
practice as well as accreditation system of acupuncture for physicians and
non-medical practitioners and Tui Na massage therapy were conducted. To date, PITAHC is gathering/updating information on T/CM
practitioners for its database. A small Technical Working Group (TWG) on Homeopathy and
Chelation Therapy (for cardio-vascular conditions) composed of experts on their
respective field is in the process of formulating standards, accreditation system
and codes of ethics.
PRODUCTS
The Department of Health's regulatory body i.e. the Bureau
of Food and Drugs (BFAD) is responsible for the registration and issuance of
Certificates of Registration of herbal medicines and herbal food supplements that
passed the set standards and requirements. There is a an existing Chamber of Herbal Industries in the
Philippines Inc. (CHIPI) which is an association of local manufacturers of herbal
products that includes medicines, food and cosmetics. The Center for International Trade Expositions and Mission
(CITEM), an agency under the Department of Trade and Industry conducts a yearly
event called Bio-Search. This features exhibits of herbal, organic and natural
products by producers, manufacturers, importers/distributors/suppliers, traders,
exporters of natural health/herbal products. Available also are alternative
therapies and other health services. The Bureau of Exports, Trade and Promotions of the
Department of Trade and Industry provides assistance to local
manufacturers/producers enter the export market.
RESEARCH
EDUCATION
Since year 2000, community-based training on herbal
medicines and acupressure is regularly conducted to inform and educate the public
on its health benefits and its potential in providing alternative livelihood e.g.
preparation of herbal soaps and herbal ointment. PITAHC's on-going seminar series, which is conducted twice
a month started on February 2004. The initial topics that have been covered and
discussed by experts on their respective field were homeopathy, health-risk
associated with pesticide use, role of nutrition in reversing chronic degenerative
disease, chiropractic and ayurveda. PITAHC's library facilities and services are continuously
upgraded to provide the best for its users. Latest traditional and alternative
health care (TAHC) publications and magazines as well as video and audio materials
on TAHC are now available. The training/seminar room facilities are also
available for a minimal fee. PITAHC's website can now be accessed at
www.doh.gov.ph/pitahc. It features the Institute's database, programs, services,
facilities, products, newsletter as well as its four (4) herbal processing
plants.
The database shows the different diseases and possible alternative
cures, different modalities, list of alternative doctors and associations,
different herbal products and association of alternative medicine. In December 2003, the first PITAHC bi-monthly newsletter,
"Well-Being", was approved by its Board of Trustees for publication. The first
issue was released in February 2004. The second issue for March-April will be
released on the third week of April 2004. The newsletters can also be accessed
on-line at www.doh.gov.ph/pitahc. National Nutritional Campaign on well-being of school
children based on the new paradigm of health was launched with emphasis on
nutritional healing and the role of food intake in bringing about health. As an output of a WHO-funded Round Table Discussion and
Workshops with representatives from the academe, "A Manual on the Integration of
Traditional and Alternative Health Care in the Health Sciences Curricula" was
printed on August 2002 and distributed to selected schools offering medicine,
dentistry, nursing, midwifery, nutrition, pharmacy, physical and occupational
therapy.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR T/CM ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR 2004 ONWARDS
PITAHC to continue the creation of Technical Working Groups
(TWGs) for other modalities like Chelation Therapy (for cardio-vascular conditions),
Iridology, etc. to draft their respective standards of practice. Establishment of a Wellness Center which will offer
complementary/alternative modalities such as Tui Na massage therapy, Acupuncture,
Aromatherapy, Homeopathy and Chelation Therapy. The Wellness Center will be
manned by experts of the aforementioned modalities. This will serve as a model
for government and private institutions and will be integrated in government
hospitals. National clinical research database of all significant
cases and testimonials submitted by practitioners of traditional medicine. Research on Filipino traditional practices and use of
indigenous plants. Thirteen episodes of PITAHC Well-Being television series.
Multi-media promotion and advocacy on various T/CM
features. The general public can be easily educated and widely reached through
mass media. PITAHC to offer T/CM correspondence courses in collaboration
with Trinity College of Natural Health and Clayton College of Natural Health in
the U.S.A. Health financing scheme to include T/CM products and
services as reimbursable in the country's health insurance system (Philipppine
Health Insurance Corporation).
CONCLUSION
The nature of traditional/alternative and
complementary medicine (TCM) should be holistic. Traditional medicine in many
countries, not only in Asia bases its core concept on the human being as a whole,
emphasizing the mind and body connection, the subtle energies and meridian points
which is the basis of acupuncture, energy healing, and the natural capacity of the
body to heal itself given the right conditions and environment.
Without having to endorse a particular
modality, PITAHC aims to give the public more options towards achieving lasting
health. The benefit a certain modality can provide is more important than proving the
efficacy of various modalities.
The health sector plays a crucial role in
the process of integrating T/CM in the national health care delivery system. Local
Government Executives (Governors, Mayors and Barangay Captains) at the local level
are encouraged to include in their yearly planning and budget T/CM systems, plans,
programs, projects, research activities and even health financing scheme of T/CM
services and products as reimbursable in the country's health insurance system
(PhilHealth Insurance Corp.). Technical assistance for the implementation of such
can come from consultants and concerned experts on various modalities of their choice.
In general, T/CM integration in day-to-day Rural Health Unit (RHU) activities will
gradually prosper when health workers already understand how to adopt the technical
knowledge and skills they may have gained specially in relevant T/CM trainings.
We definitely see an increasing role of T/CM
in a health care system not only in Asia but also in other countries as well. ASEAN
members can lead the world in this endeavour since this has always been part of our
traditions. Thank you.
Graciela B. Eleazar
Acting Director General
Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative
Health Care (PITAHC)
Department of Health (DOH)
Republic of the Philippines
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