As WHA Convenes, Taiwan's TCM Community Advocates for Traditional Medicine Collaboration at Side Event

(CNA, Reporter Chen Chieh-ling, Taipei, 18th) The World Health Organization (WHO) held the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland, today. At a side event, the Taiwan Clinical Association of Chinese Medicine spoke about the 29% utilization rate of traditional medicine across Taiwan, making a global call for collaboration in traditional medicine. The World Health Assembly kicked off today, with a delegation led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Welfare. For the first time this year, a Taiwan Smart Healthcare and Health Industry Exhibition was held in the venue area. Dr. Chen Chi-fang, president of the Taiwan Clinical Association of Chinese Medicine, told a CNA reporter that various community activities at the side events were very active. The association was invited to speak at the European Taiwan Youth Association's theme day on TCM health preservation and disease prevention in Taiwan. In his keynote speech, Chen mentioned that the utilization rate of traditional medicine in Taiwan is 29%, involving TCM departments in hospitals of all levels, TCM hospitals, primary care clinics, pharmacies, and Chinese herbal medicine stores. The industry is diverse and sustainable, with various sectors contributing collectively. Compared to treating diseases, traditional medicine emphasizes the preventive concept of "treating before illness arises" and frequently advises the public to focus on health preservation. Chen believes that in the post-pandemic era, strengthening physical constitution and enriching the nation requires the integration of diverse medical roles into daily life. The six pillars of "Healthy Taiwan" are being gradually implemented domestically. As stated in the "Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion" and the WHO's "Draft Global Strategy on Health for All (2026-2030)," this involves promoting the diverse use of various health resources to safeguard public welfare. Chen further pointed out that the WHO will release the "Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034" by the end of 2024, the 2nd WHO Traditional Medicine Summit will be held in 2025, and the Traditional Medicine Standardization Conference will be hosted in Tokyo, Japan, in 2026. All these events emphasize the division of labor, collaboration, and legalization of traditional medicine, as well as maximizing the use of local medicinal resources. Chen said that rather than seeking medical help when an illness becomes severe, one can build a healthy body through regular conditioning of the internal organs and immune system with TCM and by arranging daily routines according to traditional medical theories. This way, even if a virus invades, it is less likely to turn into a severe case, and with timely TCM treatment, recovery can be quicker. Chen's call at the side event for collaboration in traditional medicine reflects his belief that TCM can not only promote public health and strengthen the nation but also reduce national healthcare expenditures, make the elderly and young stronger, and lessen the burden on young people and caregivers. The core of society, the young and middle-aged, can strengthen their bodies, advance their careers, and create their futures with the help of TCM, which has a critical impact on overall national development. (Editor: Li Hsi-chang) 1150518