China, Africa boost traditional medicine
( 2002-10-19 09:22 ) (1 )

Extensive co-operation between China and African countries in the field of traditional medicine was highlighted at the China-Africa Forum on Traditional Medicine held yesterday in Beijing.

Forty-one representatives from 19 African countries, including five ministers of health, attended the meeting.

"Chinese and African traditional medicines are integral parts of the world's traditional culture," said Chinese Minister of Health Zhang Wenkang at the opening ceremony.

"Traditional medicine should be taken seriously," said Ebrahim M. Samba, director of the World Health Organization's (WHO's) African Regional Office. "And we need a hand from our Chinese brothers and sisters."

China-Africa co-operation in traditional medicine runs deep in such areas as treatment, education, research and trade, according to Zhang.

"This forum surely will offer us a chance to further discussion," added Zhang.

In past decades, Chinese medicine experts have set foot in over 40 African countries. Chinese acupuncture has been widely applied in Africa.

Numerous African students have received further education at traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) universities. Programmes run by Chinese colleges, research institutions and hospitals in co-operation with African countries were set up, among which was a joint research programme between China and Tanzania on the treatment for HIV/AIDS using TCM measures.

"Government co-operation should be strengthened regarding the exchange of statutes and regulations and the administration of traditional medicine," remarked She Jing, director-general of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Such co-operative efforts are also expected to include discussions on the intellectual property protection of traditional medicine, added She.