Traditional and complementary medicine (TM&CM) is already widely practiced and used by a significant proportion of the population in many countries and territories in the Western Pacific Region. In some countries, T&CM represents a significant part of the health sector economy. WHO plays an important role in supporting Member States to integrate TM/CM into national health systems, while ensuring the safety, quality and effectiveness of TM/CM products and services.
THE Regional framework to harness traditional and complementary medicine to achieve health and well-being in the Western Pacific suggests ways in which T&CM can potentially play a greater role in all countries and regions to improve health and well-being, prevent disease and manage long-term chronic conditions at the primary health care level. The framework articulates T&CM’s contribution to achieving the vision set out in For the future: towards the healthiest and safest region – particularly in the areas of non-communicable diseases and aging, and in favor of marginalized populations – while contributing to strengthening the resilience of populations to face the impact of health emergencies and climate change.
The Framework aims to:
- affirm the importance and contribution of T&CM to achieving broader health goals, such as universal health coverage and health and well-being;
- guide countries to meet tomorrow’s challenges by acting today, outlining key strategic directions and a development path that countries can follow to maximize the possible contributions of TM/CM to health and well-being ;
- guide countries in the Western Pacific Region to identify and focus their efforts on priority areas for MT&CM;
- describe areas of collaboration and WHO support to countries in T&CM over the next 10 years.
