Integrating T&CM Practices in Modern Medicine

Pharmacy
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By Irshika

A fresh pharmacy graduate who's also fond of writing and eating Dunkin Doughnuts.

Traditional medicine, often rooted in centuries old knowledge and cultural practices, could complement modern medicine. It may offer a holistic and patient-centred approach to  preventing, treating or managing common diseases.

In Malaysia, there are 15 government hospitals offering a wide range of traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) services. These T&CM facilities are closely monitored under the 2016 Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act (Deed 775). This ensures the care provided to patients is safe and up to a set standard. 

 
Traditional Malays Medicine Traditional massage
  • Chronic pain
  • Post stroke rehabilitation
Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture
  • Chronic pain
  • Post stroke rehabilitation
  • Chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV)
Herbal therapy
  • Adjunct treatment for the management of cancer complications or side effects
Traditional Indian Medicine Shirodhara
  • Insomnia
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
External Basty Therapy
  • Knee/joint pain
  • Neck stiffness
  • Sciatica
Varmam therapy
  • Spondylosis
  • Osteoarthritis

Adapted from T&CM Malaysia official portal

Every MOH T&CM facility operates with a general consensus of obtaining referral from a registered medical practitioner before starting treatment. This ensures there’s clear communication between traditional medicine practitioners and the primary medicine team. All referred patients must have suitable indications for T&CM services. 

All staff T&CM units in Malaysia must comply with the directives and policies that were set by the Government of Malaysia and MOH. Besides, T&CM education is also widely recognized in Malaysia. Therefore, practitioners in MOH hospitals are qualified in their respectives and able to deliver the best treatments.  

The availability of T&CM services in government hospitals act as a safe channel for patients to seek alternative care. It’s a better way to receive complementary treatment than to go somewhere unregistered or unethical. 

If you wish to receive T&CM services, speak to your healthcare team to explore ways you could go about it.

References: 

  • Maera Rapid Evidence Synthesis Report: Approaches to Integrative Medicine. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/368752837_MAera_Rapid_Evidence_Synthesis_Report_Approaches_to_Integrative_Medicine
  • TRADITIONAL AND COMPLEMENTARY UNIT. Official Portal of traditional and complementary medicine division – traditional and complementary medicine unit (2023). Retrieved from https://hq.moh.gov.my/tcm/en/index.php/profil/tcmunit

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