Sabah Takes Bold Steps to Regulate and Integrate Conventional Medicine into Healthcare System
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
Table of Contents
| 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.
