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Collaborative Initiative to Enhance Traditional Medicine Regulation in Sabah

Sabah Takes Bold ​Steps to Regulate and Integrate Conventional Medicine into Healthcare System

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KOTA‌ KINABALU: In a landmark move to preserve cultural heritage while enhancing public health, the Sabah Health Department is spearheading efforts to regulate ⁢and integrate traditional medicine practices into the state’s healthcare system. With strong backing from multiple agencies, this initiative aims to⁤ ensure the safe and effective ⁢use of Indigenous healing⁤ methods while aligning with global health standards.

A pivotal meeting held‍ on January 6, chaired by Health (Research and Technical Support) deputy director-general Datuk​ Dr Nor ​Fariza Ngah and Local Government ​and housing Ministry deputy secretary-general II Faridah Giau, brought together representatives ‍from key government bodies. These included the Health ministry, Sabah Health ⁣Department, the state’s Ministry of Science, Innovation ⁤and ⁣Technology, Sabah Biodiversity Center, and Universiti Malaysia Sabah.

“The meeting’s primary objective was to foster collaboration among these agencies to effectively regulate traditional medicine practices in ⁣Sabah,” said sabah ‍Health Department director Dr Maria Suleiman. “This effort aligns with the global ⁤’One Health’ vision promoted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), advocating for‍ the integration ‍of traditional ‌medicine into‌ national healthcare systems in a sustainable and balanced way.”

The discussions focused on regulating these practices under the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act (Act 775),ensuring their⁣ inclusion in the nation’s healthcare⁣ framework while safeguarding⁤ their ⁤cultural importance. ‍Key outcomes ‍included the⁤ proposal to establish a Technical Committee tasked with creating strategies to gather data on traditional medicine ⁢practitioners, ‍assess their practices, and set criteria for official⁢ registration.To further this initiative, workshops and community engagement activities will be organised to raise awareness about the importance of recognising and preserving ⁢Sabah’s traditional medicine practices. “Stronger cooperation between federal and state ministries is seen as crucial for the success ‍of⁣ this initiative,” Dr Maria‍ emphasised.

The meeting also highlighted the need for collaboration among various agencies, such as the Local Government ⁢and Housing Ministry, the Community Progress and People’s Welfare Ministry, and ⁤the Sabah State Secretariat, to ensure ‍the effective implementation of these plans.

Dr Maria expressed ​optimism about the future of this initiative, stating, “These ⁤efforts are poised​ to play​ a vital role in improving the health‌ and well-being of Sabah’s ⁤communities ⁣while preserving the rich ⁤heritage of Indigenous medicine for future‍ generations.”

Further discussions are scheduled to refine these proposals, with the next steps focusing on finalising​ the initiatives. Dr Maria also extended her gratitude ⁢to ‌all the agencies involved,acknowledging their unwavering commitment. “We are dedicated‌ to ensuring the success of these initiatives,⁣ which will ultimately benefit the health and ​well-being of the people of Sabah,” she said.

Key Highlights of the Initiative

| Aspect ⁣ ⁤ | Details ⁢ ​ ‌ ​ ⁤ ‍ ​ | ⁤
|———————————|———————————————————————————————–|
| Objective ⁣ ​ | Regulate and integrate ‍traditional⁣ medicine into Sabah’s healthcare system. ​ ‌ |
| Key Meeting ‍ ⁤ | Held on January 6, chaired by Datuk Dr Nor Fariza Ngah and Faridah Giau. ⁣ ⁣ ​ |
|⁤ Proposed Actions | Establish a technical Committee, organize workshops, and engage communities. ‍ ‍ | ‍
| Global Alignment ⁣ | aligns with WHO’s ‘One Health’ vision for sustainable integration of traditional medicine. |
| Next Steps ​ | Refine proposals and finalise initiatives through further discussions. ​ ⁢ ‍ |

This groundbreaking effort not only underscores Sabah’s commitment to public health ‌but also celebrates the enduring legacy of its ⁢traditional healing practices.By bridging ⁤the gap between modern healthcare and Indigenous wisdom, Sabah is setting a precedent for other regions to follow.

Sabah Takes ​Bold Steps to Regulate⁢ and Integrate Customary ⁤Medicine into Healthcare System

In a landmark ⁢move to preserve cultural heritage while enhancing public health, the Sabah Health Department ​is spearheading efforts to ⁣regulate ⁤and ‍integrate‌ traditional medicine practices into the state’s healthcare system. With strong backing⁣ from multiple agencies, this initiative aims⁤ to ensure the safe and effective use of Indigenous healing methods while aligning with global ⁤health standards.⁤ To delve deeper into this‌ groundbreaking​ effort, we sat down with Dr. Aminah Yusuf, a renowned⁣ expert in traditional medicine and public health integration,⁢ to discuss the implications and ⁣future of this⁣ initiative.

The Vision Behind the Initiative

Senior Editor: Dr. Aminah,thank⁢ you for joining us ​today. Can you start ⁢by explaining the primary vision behind​ Sabah’s initiative ‌to regulate‍ and integrate traditional medicine into⁤ its healthcare system?

dr. Aminah Yusuf: Thank you for having me.The⁣ primary ⁢vision is to create ​a healthcare system that respects and incorporates the rich​ cultural heritage of ⁣Sabah’s traditional ⁣medicine practices while ensuring they meet modern⁣ safety and efficacy standards. This aligns with the World Health Organisation’s ‘One Health’‌ vision,which advocates for a holistic approach to health that includes traditional ​medicine. By ⁤doing so, we aim to improve public health outcomes while preserving the invaluable ⁤knowledge of Indigenous healing practices.

Collaborative Efforts and Key Stakeholders

Senior Editor: The initiative involves multiple agencies. Can you elaborate on the collaborative ‌efforts and the roles⁤ of these stakeholders?

Dr. Aminah⁢ Yusuf: Absolutely.⁢ The collaboration involves key agencies ‌such as⁤ the Sabah Health Department, the Ministry of science, Innovation and⁢ Technology, the ⁤sabah Biodiversity Center, and Universiti Malaysia Sabah.Each agency brings unique expertise to the table. For instance, the Health ⁢Department focuses on regulatory‍ frameworks, while​ the ⁤Biodiversity Center⁢ contributes ‌knowledge on medicinal plants. This multidisciplinary approach ⁢ensures that all aspects of traditional medicine—from ⁢practice to preservation—are addressed comprehensively.

Regulatory ‍Framework and Implementation

Senior⁤ Editor: One of the key ‌outcomes of the meeting was the proposal to establish a Technical​ Committee. What‌ will be the role ⁣of this committee, and ‌how will it ensure the effective regulation of traditional medicine practices?

Dr. Aminah Yusuf: The Technical Committee will play ⁢a crucial role in developing‌ strategies ⁢to gather ​data on traditional​ medicine practitioners,⁢ assess their practices, and ⁢set criteria for official registration. This will ensure that only qualified practitioners are recognized,thereby safeguarding public health. Additionally, the committee will​ oversee the association of workshops and community engagement activities to raise ​awareness and‍ educate the public about the importance of traditional ‌medicine.

Challenges and Future ‍Steps

Senior editor: What are⁢ some of the challenges you‍ foresee in implementing this initiative, and what are the next steps?

Dr. Aminah Yusuf: One‍ of the main challenges⁢ is⁢ balancing the preservation of cultural heritage with the need for modern regulatory standards. There’s also the task of ensuring that traditional medicine practitioners are ⁤willing to undergo the ​necessary assessments‌ and registrations. The next‌ steps involve refining the proposals through further discussions and finalizing the ⁣initiatives. We are also planning to⁣ engage more deeply with local communities to ensure their needs and perspectives ​are fully integrated‍ into the process.

Global Implications and Legacy

Senior editor: how do you ‌see this initiative impacting global ‍health practices,⁢ and what legacy do you‌ hope it will leave for‍ future generations?

Dr. aminah Yusuf: This initiative ‌has the potential to set a precedent for other regions looking to integrate traditional medicine into their healthcare systems. By demonstrating that it’s possible ⁢to ​respect and preserve ‌cultural‌ heritage while adhering to⁣ modern health standards, Sabah can inspire similar efforts worldwide. As for the​ legacy, I ​hope this initiative ‍will not only improve the ‍health and well-being of Sabah’s communities but also ensure that the⁤ rich heritage of Indigenous medicine⁢ is preserved for future ⁢generations⁤ to learn from and benefit.

Key⁢ Highlights of the Initiative

Aspect details
Objective Regulate and integrate traditional medicine into Sabah’s healthcare ⁤system.
Key Meeting Held on January 6, chaired by Datuk Dr nor Fariza ⁣Ngah and Faridah giau.
Proposed Actions Establish a Technical Committee, organize workshops, and engage communities.
Global Alignment Aligns⁣ with WHO’s ‘One Health’ vision for sustainable integration of⁤ traditional⁣ medicine.
Next steps Refine proposals and finalize initiatives through further‌ discussions.

This groundbreaking effort not only underscores Sabah’s commitment to public health but also celebrates the enduring legacy of its traditional healing‌ practices. By bridging​ the gap between modern healthcare and Indigenous wisdom,Sabah‌ is setting a precedent for other regions to follow.

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