Views and Action Points for Integrative Medicine

Congratulations to the organizers and supporters of this e-Health Forum on Integrative Medicine.

Yes it has been 35 years ago since al Ministers/Secretaries of Health in the world pledge to support Primary Health Care for all and the integration of traditional medicine into the conventional health systems.

While many countries have been successful in various ways of the integration of traditional medicine into their conventional medicine, the Philippines has had several attempts to do this…..especially during the time of Secretary Jesus Azurin (circa early 1980’s) and Secretary Juan M. Flavier (1992 to 1995)….and then with the passing of the Republic Act on Traditional and Alternative Medicine (TAMA) in 1997 and the establishment of the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (PITAHC).

Three provinces have shown good practices in the Integration of Traditional Medicine in their Rural Health Units and Provincial and District Hospitals. These are Nueva Vizcaya (under the initiative of Dr. Cyril Galindez of the Veterans Memorial Hospital in Bayombong) since 2010 and earlier and Romblon (under the leadership of Governor Dr. Ed Firmalo) since 2012 and just recently Aklan under the leadership of PHO Dr. Leslie Luces and Governor Florencio Miraflores.

I encourage organizations and individuals to assist these 3 provinces in whatever way they can to advance the integration of Filipino Traditional Medicine and Asian Medicine in the day to day services of their RHUs and Provincial/District Hospitals and community based health programs.

Initiatives of PITAHC should also be noted in the following: accreditation and recognition of acupuncture, chiropractic and homeopathy. In the homefront of Filipino Traditional Medicine, PITAHC has supported 2 books – the Best 100 Medicinal Plants of the Philippines (by JZ Galvez Tan and Isidro Sia) and the Anthology of Filipino Traditional Healers (Albularyo, Hilot, Mantatawas, Spiritista atbp) by JZGalvez Tan and Gideon Lasco. The partnership of DOH, PITAHC and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples with an Administrative Order to search for ways and means to achieve Universal Health Care among Indigenous Peoples is another positive step to advance Integrative Medicine in the Philippines. This year PITAHC is starting the Directory and Inventory of Filipino Traditional Healers and Modern Alternative Medical Practitioners, initially in the provinces of Batangas and Laguna.

I agree with all of the views already expressed by Dr. Dennis Batangan as well as the Sarilaya.

I would be happy to hear of other concrete actions for the enhancement and practice of Integrative Medicine…not only the merging of Conventional Medicine with Filipino and Asian Medicine but also the approach to health and wellness in a holistic manner – physical, mental, social, spiritual, emotional and environmental.

Cheers and best wishes.

Jaime Galvez Tan