Traditional medicine pact ‘good for Macau’: WHO
Macau signed an agreement yesterday with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to promote training in the field of Chinese Traditional Medicine, a move applauded by the head of the international body, Margaret Chan.
“This is a very good initiative for Macau and I pay tribute to Chief Executive [Fernando] Chui Sai On for his initiative,” WHO’s director general told journalists during a press conference.
The cooperation programme will kick off in early September this year and will last over four years, ending on December 31, 2015. During that time, Macau will host a series of training programmes, not only for local experts but also for specialists from Hong Kong, mainland China and some neighbouring regions.
Chief Executive Chui Sai On and Margaret Chan signed the pact at the government headquarters, highlighting the important step it represents for the traditional medicine sector.
Chui expressed gratitude for the support provided by the WHO and called the agreement an “incentive” for Macau to further develop the Chinese traditional medicine.
After the signing ceremony, Chan assured that the WHO “is working very closely” with each of the 183 member-states to promote a better environment for traditional medicine worldwide.
“More and more countries in the last 10 to 20 years have attached much more importance to traditional medicine and this [pact] is a good development because you will put it on a science based platform to prove the safety, quality and efficacy [of traditional medicine],” she said.
That, Chan added, is precisely what the WHO is planning to do in support of different countries and regions.
“Traditional Chinese medicine has always been used primarily by Chinese people, but more and more people in other parts of the world, like Switzerland, Germany and the US, are using it,” said the head of the WHO.
“My primarily objective is to make sure that the products that are being used and that the people who are providing healthcare are based on science and make sure that they are in fact helping people in need.”
The deal comes as Macau prepares to invest several millions in the Chinese Traditional Medicine Scientific and Industrial Technology Park on Hengqin Island. The cooperation includes several topics such as licensing systems for professionals and clinics, regulation and pharmaceutical guidelines.
At least 45 people, most from overseas, are expected to attend eight training sessions in the territory. On the other hand, over 100 locals – including practitioners and public servants – will also undergo training provided by WHO experts.
“The goal is to improve participant’s knowledge in this field. Instead of being too scientific, these training sessions will focus on management and how to better plan policies for this sector,” director of the Health Bureau, Lei Chin Ion, said on Wednesday.
The SAR government will spend around MOP 24 million to support the training programme, not MOP 2.4 million as Macau Daily Times published yesterday due to a translation misunderstanding.
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