Traditional medicine preservation and promotion

The oriental medicine network in Khanh Hoa Province has significantly expanded, playing a vital role in enhancing community healthcare. 

According to Dang Huu Loc, Chairman of Khanh Hoa Oriental Medicine Association, the association has formed a three-level network. In recent years, along with improving treatment, the association has well maintained propaganda among its cadres and members about the association's role in the development of oriental medicine in the province, contributing to the preservation and promotion of valuable traditional medicine.

Free medical examination for the elderly at the Provincial Oriental Medicine Association.

Along with the examination and treatment of traditional medicine using old methods, the association has cooperated with private traditional medicine facilities, the Provincial Traditional Medicine - Rehabilitation Hospital, and the traditional medicine department at hospitals to combination of traditional and conventional medicines in treatment through the use of X-ray results, tests, CT scans, etc. to support diagnosis.

Besides, modern equipment, including electroacupuncture, shortwave therapy, and ultrasound, has been utilized to treat various conditions such as degenerative joint diseases, sciatica, spinal pain, hemiplegia resulting from cerebrovascular accidents, and facial nerve palsy. Notably, a combination of Oriental and Western medicine has been employed to support cancer treatment, extending patients' lives. Additionally, acupressure has shown promising results in the recovery of facial paralysis.

Every year, the association cooperates with the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, the Institute of Traditional Medicine in Ho Chi Minh City to organize many training courses to improve professional knowledge and skills for more than 100 officials and members.

The associations at all levels organize conferences for members to exchange experience in medical examination and treatment, and share valuable remedies. The provincial Oriental Medicine Association alone has collected and preserved more than 300 good remedies for treating musculoskeletal diseases, nervous breakdown, rheumatism, cirrhosis, ascites, asthma, gallstones, etc.

District and city-level associations have collected and provided more than 100 medicinal herbs to support health stations in building model medicinal herb gardens. The association has coordinated and created favorable conditions for businesses, organizations and individuals to invest in the field of traditional medicine, medicinal herb production, conservation and development of precious medicinal herb gene sources. Currently, there are 223 traditional medicine clinics, 2 enterprises specializing in the production and trading of oriental medicines.

However, according to Dang Huu Loc, the activities of the Provincial Oriental Medicine Association are currently facing many difficulties in terms of facilities and human resources with international cooperation in developing oriental medicine required.

To effectively carry out the work of inheriting, preserving and developing traditional medicine and pharmacy in the province, Dang Huu Loc suggested leaders at all levels continue providing support for investment in facilities and equipment for traditional medicine and pharmacy establishments; have a mechanism to support professional development, especially young doctors who wish to study traditional medicine and pharmacy; promote propaganda about the benefits of combination of traditional and conventional medicines in treatment; formulate policies for developing medicinal herbs, supporting scientific research and applying traditional medicine in treatment.

To effectively inherit, preserve, and develop traditional medicine and pharmacy in the province, Dang Huu Loc proposed that leaders at all levels continue to support investments in facilities and equipment for traditional medicine and pharmacy establishments; have a mechanism to support professional development, especially young doctors aspiring to study traditional medicine and pharmacy; promote propaganda about the benefits of a combination of traditional and conventional medicines in treatment; formulate policies to advance medicinal herb cultivation, support scientific research, and apply traditional medicine in healthcare.

C.D

Translated by N.T