Over the 15 years since the implementation of Directive No. 24 dated July 4, 2008, of the 10th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam "on the development of Vietnamese traditional medicine and the Vietnam Association of Traditional Medicine in the new situation," traditional medicine activities in the province have achieved many remarkable results. However, the province's traditional medicine still has much untapped potential...
Promoting the integration of Eastern and Western medicine has led to many positive results in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
The integration of Eastern and Western medicine in disease diagnosis and treatment should be promoted.
Over the years, the system of examination and treatment using Traditional Chinese Medicine has gradually improved throughout the province. To date, Traditional Chinese Medicine activities have been implemented at the Provincial General Hospital, the Provincial Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital; 6 out of 8 health centers, 3 district-level general hospitals, and 75 out of 75 commune, ward, and town health stations. Between 2008 and 2022, more than 1.25 million patients received examination and treatment using Traditional Chinese Medicine, dispensing over 3.37 million doses of herbal medicine. Treatment using acupuncture, acupressure, and therapeutic exercises was provided to over 2.52 million patients from within and outside the province. The number of patients treated and the number of herbal doses dispensed have doubled compared to 2008.
In Phung Hiep district, approximately 100 patients visit the Traditional Medicine Department, the District Health Center, and commune/town health stations daily for examination and treatment using a combination of Eastern and Western medicine. Besides using modern equipment and Western medicines, patients also receive additional Eastern medicine remedies and treatments such as acupuncture, acupressure, and thread embedding, according to individual treatment protocols to enhance the effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment. As a result, in recent years, the District Health Center has not only treated local residents but also received many patients from other provinces such as Kien Giang, Vinh Long, Soc Trang, and Dong Thap .
Having suffered a stroke more than six months ago, Mr. Nguyen Van Man, residing in Tan Phu A2 hamlet, Bung Tau town, Phung Hiep district, was cured using Western medicine. However, recently, due to working in the fields and doing strenuous work, Mr. Man has experienced numbness, fatigue, and pain again. Therefore, he decided to be admitted to the Traditional Medicine Department of the Phung Hiep District Health Center for treatment. “For the past two days, I’ve been receiving acupuncture combined with taking various medications, and I feel much better. I find this method effective and will continue to follow it until I am completely healthy,” Mr. Man shared.
Traditional medicine has been and continues to be highly effective in diagnosing and treating illnesses for the people. However, in recent years, this practice has not been widely applied throughout the province. Of the 2,590 existing hospital beds in multi-specialty medical facilities in the province, only 189 are dedicated to examination and treatment using traditional medicine. According to Decision No. 362 dated March 11, 2014, of the Prime Minister approving the Project for Investment in Construction and Upgrading of the National Traditional Medicine Hospital System for the period 2014-2025, Hau Giang is included in the list of traditional medicine hospitals prioritized for investment in the period 2016-2020.
However, for various reasons, this project has not yet been implemented. The lack of a leading specialized medical facility makes it difficult to provide guidance and transfer technology in traditional medicine diagnosis and treatment. Scientific research on traditional medicine is limited. Many effective traditional medicine remedies have not been inherited or widely applied in practice. Therefore, traditional medicine has not been able to fully demonstrate its value in caring for and protecting people's health. Maximizing the potential of traditional medicine and promoting the integration of Eastern and Western medicine in diagnosis and treatment are essential in the coming period.
Can traditional medicine contribute to socio-economic development?
Traditional medicine is an important part of the healthcare sector. Over the years, traditional medicine has contributed to the socio-economic development of the province, but primarily focused on diagnosis and treatment. In reality, traditional medicine has potential in other areas. According to Mr. Dau Xuan Canh, Chairman of the Vietnam Traditional Medicine Association: “The field of traditional medicine is expanding rapidly. Besides diagnosis and treatment, traditional medicine is also developing strongly in the preparation and production of medicines to improve the health and appearance of the people. Traditional medicine is now closely linked to the development of pharmaceuticals.”
Hau Giang is considered a province with many strengths in medicinal plants. According to research, the province's medicinal plant gene pool is quite rich with 14 species that yield essential oils (such as Terminalia chebula, Melaleuca alternifolia, etc.) and many valuable medicinal plants with scientific and application value such as Solanum torvum, Andrographis paniculata, Polygonum multiflorum, Phyllanthus niruri, and Angelica dahurica. These plants can be found in backyards, in fields, and in rice paddies, and are utilized by the people when needed. The Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve is currently a center for the conservation of many medicinal plant species in the province.
All 75 health stations in the province have model medicinal herb gardens and provide guidance to local people on cultivation. People are encouraged to use traditional medicine according to the motto "Doctors on-site, medicine from the garden, treatment at home," increasing self-sufficiency in medicine for disease prevention and treatment. In Chau Thanh A district, Phung Hiep district, and Vi Thanh city, some households have cultivated medicinal plants on areas of 5,000-6,000 square meters for business or to supply charitable medical facilities using traditional medicine. In reality, medicinal plants have great potential for cultivation, helping to develop agriculture linked to tourism development. However, this potential has not been fully exploited.
Mr. Truong Canh Tuyen, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, said: "In the spirit of the approved provincial planning, we are reviewing the annual implementation plan on the development orientation of agriculture and tourism. We will integrate and combine the development of traditional medicine and medicinal plant chains with agriculture and tourism. We will build models for growing medicinal plants that are suitable for health purposes, for tourists, and for the production of nutritious food. These are things we are very enthusiastic about."
Hau Giang should focus on developing medicinal plants and medicines. Mr. Dau Xuan Canh, Chairman of the Vietnam Traditional Medicine Association, suggested: “Hau Giang is an agricultural province, so it should pay attention to traditional medicine by developing medicinal herbs and medicines. A comprehensive plan for the province's indigenous medicinal herbs and its strengths should be developed. If Hau Giang can build a large-scale factory or center for nutritional food to serve people in the province and nationwide, it will bring added value and income to the people. From there, traditional medicine will participate more deeply in the socio-economic development of the province.” |
Text and photos: DANG THU
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