Culminating the 17th ASEAN Summit in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, ASEAN Officials and experts on Traditional Medicines gathered together for the Second Conference on Traditional Medicine in ASEAN Countries held in Ha Noi, Viet Nam on 31 October to 02 November 2010. The conference with the theme “Integration of Traditional Medicine into the National Healthcare System toward Feasible Models in the ASEAN Countries” was organised by the Ministry of Health of Viet Nam in cooperation with the Nippon Foundation of Japan and the ASEAN Secretariat.
The opening ceremony was graced by distinguished guests including H.E. Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Prof. Nguyen Thien Nhan of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, Secretary General Dr. Surin Pitsuwan of ASEAN Secretariat, H.E. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Trieu, Minister of Health of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, and Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, President of the Nippon Foundation, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, International Organizations, experts from the Traditional Medicine/Complementary and Alternative Medicines and representatives from ASEAN Member States.
The three day conference was participated by more than 230 officials and industry experts from ASEAN Member States, China, Japan and WHO to discuss the integration of traditional medicine into the national healthcare system. Four group discussions through thematic workshops had deliberated simultaneously on the integrating model of traditional medicine and modern medicine focused on (1) examination and treatment system; (2) training and scientific research, (3) primary healthcare into national healthcare system; and (4) technical regulations on standardization of traditional medicine.
The thematic workshops produced concrete recommendations for ASEAN cooperation on Traditional Medicine/Complementary and Alternative Medicines. Among others, multi-disciplinary approach and integration of trade, services, biodiversity, health, as well as strengthen collaboration with ASEAN plus three and other dialogue partners are necessary.
The second conference proposed the creation of the ASEAN Task Force on Traditional Medicine/Complementary and Alternative Medicines under the auspices of the Senior Officials Meeting on Health Development (SOMHD) to develop a comprehensive work plan.
The conference adopted the Hanoi Declaration which builds upon the success of the first conference held in Bangkok in 2009 and the significant progress achieved in this conference as well as ways to moving forward.
Reference
Viet Nam Ministry of Health Portal. Available online at http://www.moh.gov.vn
