A RECENT poll indicates the majority of Chinese citizens either trust the
efficacy of traditional medicine, or otherwise believe in the benefits of both traditional
and Western medicine. Forty per cent of respondents cited the good points of both
traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine, and 30 per cent favour the
efficacy of the former.
The majority of respondents agreed the strong points of TCM include minor side effects
and the core philosophy of "achieving a permanent cure." Others said TCM can
cure illnesses beyond the reach of Western medicine, or that TCM is more suited to the
physique of Chinese people.
The Horizon Market Survey Company polled 1,500 residents in Beijing, Shanghai and
Guangzhou.
Twenty-four per cent of respondents cited a preference for Western medicine.
The survey indicated 75 per cent of respondents used TCM during the past year to treat
colds, asthma, stomach problems or chronic diseases. TCM was also used to treat
hypertension, headaches and rheumatism.
An analysis revealed that educated people have a greater awareness of the strong points
of both TCM and Western medicine.
The fact that younger people voiced a stronger preference for Western medicine was
attributed to the influence of advertising and sales promotion.
China has adopted a series of policies in recent years to protect and develop
traditional Chinese medicine, which has a history of more than 2,000 years.
China's traditional medicine administration has called for a crackdown on quack
doctors.
Local TCM administrations are being asked to thoroughly check the qualifications of TCM
hospitals and doctors before March and to close uncertified clinics.
Government organizations and institutions are no longer allowed to approve TCM clinics
without proper authority from TCM administrations.
Illegal medical practices threaten people's health and have damaged the reputation of
traditional Chinese medicine, the administration says. The move follows the arrest of Hu
Wanlin, who was practising medicine illegally and was involved in the deaths of more than
100 people in Central China's Henan Province.
The 50-year-old Hu claimed to possess special skills that allowed him to diagnose
medical mysteries. He is accused of having sold home-made herbal medicines with lethal
amounts of sodium sulfate. |
