PUTRAJAYA: The development of traditional and complementary medicine will continue to be pursued and be integrated with modern medicine to boost the health and quality of life of Malaysians, says Khairy Jamaluddin.

       The Health Minister said this area of medicine would be given a boost of professionalism by ensuring its services were not just safe, but of high quality and accessible to all.

       Saying that traditional medicine in Malaysia was unique, Khairy pointed out this was because it was an outcome of various heritage, cultures and languages.

       He said traditional medicine had always played an important role in healthcare among the people.

       “With Malaysia’s research work in this field still in its early stages, we will benefit from China’s vast knowledge and experience. This is particularly so in the area of research for prevention and treatment of contagious and non-communicable diseases.

       “The outcome of these studies will help the Malaysian government set policies to reduce the burden brought by illnesses,” he said at a virtual signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the cooperation of traditional medicine between the governments of Malaysia and China.

       Khairy led the Malaysian delegation, which included Malaysia’s ambassador to China Datuk Raja Nushirwan Zainal Abidin and Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

       China was represented by National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM) Commissioner Dr Yu Wen Ming and Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing.

       Khairy hoped with the MOU, communication networks could be further strengthened to allow the exchange of technical and scientific information to help draw policies and strategies so that services and products used were safe and effective.

       Malaysia and China signed a similar MOU on Nov 7, 2011 in Beijing.

       Former health minister Tan Sri Liow Tiong Lai represented the government while NATCM’s then commissioner Dr Wang Guoqiang signed on behalf of China.

       Khairy said that over the past 10 years, cooperation such as training at China’s hospitals and institutions, and Chinese traditional medical experts offering their services in hospitals under the ministry were implemented under the MOU.

       “The Belt and Road Initiative has also boosted collaborations between Malaysia and China, and has become a platform to enhance abilities in managing public health emergencies through the sharing of information on epidemic, prevention and intervention efforts and training,” he said.