The Position and Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China’s Health System Reform

Presenter: XinJian Fan, ChengDu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Abstract

Background : Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an invaluable treasure of our nation in their long-standing struggle against diseases because it has made an undeniable contribution to national prosperity and human health. In the contemporary age, the transformed way of life and production has not properly addressed traditional health concerns and a growing number of new diseases; moreover, the constantly evolving human civilization and the accumulating social wealth have encouraged an increasing number of people to pay more attention to their own health. However, soaring health expenses have become a problem besetting all the countries in the world. Correspondingly, many developing nations and developed nations are beginning to reaffirm the role and value of traditional medicine. For example, WHO has launched a “Health Care for Everyone” campaign that emphasizes the popularization of traditional medicine.

Significance: On account of its inclination towards popularity and a medical care model that integrates prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and health maintenance, traditional Chinese medicine can provide simple, convenient, effectual and affordable medical services. Undoubtedly, traditional Chinese medicine will constitute an integral part of China’s health system reform with Chinese characteristics which aims at basic medical care for all the citizens and a general enhancement of health level.

Objectives: the objective of this paper is to discuss the postion and role of TCM in China’s Health System Reform, especially from the health economy angle .

Content and conclusion: The health system reform objective which centers on the originality, modernity and internationality of traditional Chinese medicine must be complied with in our health system reform. And traditional Chinese medicine must be further encouraged to contribute a greater share to China’s social and economic development.

Firstly, traditional Chinese medicine must be encouraged to play its unique and advantageous role in some aspects and we must persist in a simple, convenient, effectual and cheap model in order to improve the standard and applicable scope of our health care policy. Meanwhile, medical expenses must be cut considerably to address the problem of high medical costs and unavailability of medical services in some regions.

Secondly, traditional Chinese medicine must be encouraged on account of its advantage and features in clinic treatment, disease prevention, health care, regimens & rehabilitation. Traditional Chinese medicine may be applied not only to modern diseases, but also to many other service realms. Traditional health care regimens, characteristic of traditional Chinese medicine, may be employed to serve the modern life and improve our nation’s health standard.

Thirdly, more efforts must be invested in improving a TCM-aided system of disease prevention, health care, diagnosis and treatment. A standard traditional Chinese medicine system must be fostered and facilitated so that TCM standards may be integrated into the international traditional medicine standards. The efforts are also intended to consolidate and reaffirm China’s leading role in traditional medicine. TCM theories and therapeutic practices must be explored to identify and preserve the quintessence and achievements of traditional Chinese medicine and folk medicine. The combination of Eastern and Western medicine must be facilitated to internationalize and establish TCM in a rational position in the medical world. We must also carry forward and promote the Chinese civilization and the TCM culture.

Fourthly, The TCM industry must be modernized to enhance our creativity in terms of TCM products. Meanwhile, new TCM products capable of grabbing a share on the international pharmaceutics & health care market must be developed to sharpen the competitive edge of TCM products and enterprises at the international level. We must considerably increase the share of traditional Chinese medicine on both the domestic and overseas pharmaceutics market, enhance the industry’s profitability and assist it to contribute more to our GDP.