Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
GENEVA, May 21 (Xinhua) — China, along with Malaysia, Nepal, Saudi Arabia and the Seychelles, co-hosted for the first time a side event on traditional medicine on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva on May 20.
The event focused on integrating traditional medicine into national health systems, supporting universal health coverage, advancing towards the Sustainable Development Goals and building a community of hygiene and health for all humanity.
The event brought together more than 100 participants, including high-level health officials from many countries, representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), renowned experts and scientists, and figures from international academia.
The event featured a keynote speech by Yu Yanhong, Director of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People’s Republic of China. She noted China’s centuries-long commitment to the development of traditional Chinese medicine, emphasizing the country’s unique path in developing traditional medicine with Chinese characteristics and the significant successes achieved along the way.
Yu Yanhong called on countries to develop traditional medicine systems in accordance with their national characteristics and promote the modernization of traditional medical practices. She also reaffirmed China’s commitment to promoting more effective integration of traditional medicine into national health systems around the world.
Seychelles Health Minister Peggy Vido said traditional medicine and herbalism have a long history and deep cultural roots in her country, with their benefits gaining increasing public recognition every day.
She proposed to pay special attention to ensuring the necessary level of education and standard training of practitioners, disseminating evidence-based practices and creating a framework to guarantee the quality, effectiveness and safety of traditional medicine as its role in health systems continues to grow. P. Vido also expressed her country’s interest in further strengthening cooperation with China and other countries in this area.
WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Saiya Mau Piukala, described traditional medicine as a vital pillar of health systems that has made a significant contribution to global health.
He praised China’s achievements in preserving and updating traditional medicine, stressing that these practices should complement modern medicine rather than compete with it.
The WHO regional head called for stronger international cooperation to ensure the safety, quality and accessibility of traditional medicine. S. M. Piukala also noted that the Western Pacific Region is actively working to integrate traditional medicine into universal health coverage systems so that more people can benefit from such treatment. –0–