Dual health system: Secretary for Food & Health Dr Ko Wing-man (left) meets WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan (second right) and others at a traditional medicine strategy meeting.

October 28, 2013

Hong Kongs policies for traditional medicine regulation and development are in line with World Health Organisation strategies, says Secretary for Food & Health Dr Ko Wing-man. Speaking at the "High Level Meeting on the Implementation of WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy: 2014-2023" in Macau today, he said the Government will formulate long-term strategies including harmonising Chinese medicine standards, carrying out knowledge exchange with other countries and enhancing co-operation with the Mainland. The meeting launched the organisations latest traditional medicine strategy, to which Hong Kong has actively contributed, providing a clear direction for member states' work in traditional medicine. Dr Ko said the strategy is a valuable tool for healthcare providers, health service planners and policy makers worldwide to better address issues of regulation, integration and evaluation to harness the potential of traditional and complementary medicine. With further studies and discussions, he said, Hong Kong can come up with a collaborative model where the two medical streams can work together to provide quality, individualised medical treatment for patients. The Chinese Medicine Development Committee, which was established in February, will deliberate on matters including a Chinese medicine hospital, specialties in Chinese medicine practice, and promoting collaboration between Western and Chinese medicine, he said.

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HK, WHO advance traditional medicine