SIBU: The Ministry of Health (MoH) is taking steps to regulate the traditional medicine sector to ensure the standardised development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
Dr. Tony Kong Choon Hing, the president of Sarawak Traditional Chinese Physicians Association (STCPA), said that one of the requirements for registration as a traditional medicine practitioner, including Chinese physicians, is the completion of the Akta 775 (Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act 2016) course and obtaining a statement of attendance.
According to him, the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act refers to health practices related to the prevention, treatment, or management of diseases and the maintenance of individuals’ physical and mental well-being. The Akta 775 course serves as a guide in this regard.
“This is just one of several conditions that applicants must fulfill to obtain a medical practice license as defined by the authorities, both domestically and internationally,” said Dr Kong during a banquet held in conjunction with the 2nd World Chinese Medicine Forum at a hotel here on last night (June 24).
The forum, hosted by STCPA and co-organised by Asia Skills College (ASC), attracted more than 600 participants from China, Taiwan, Singapore, Brunei, and Peninsular Malaysia.
Dr. Kong, who is also the founder and president of ASC, mentioned that the forum provided an opportunity for foreign TCM specialists, especially those from China, to gain a better understanding of the regulations governing the TCM industry in Malaysia.
“To facilitate this, a course on Akta 775 will be conducted in Mandarin today (June 26), followed by an examination,” he added.
Also present were Consul General Xing Weiping of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching, Temenggong Datuk Vincent Lau Lee Ming, the Chinese paramount leader in Sibu, Chairman Datuk Lau Cheng Kiong of Sibu General Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and honorary advisor Datuk Lau Ngie Hua from STCPA.
