Traditional medicine is already extremely popular in Myanmar.

THE value and importance of traditional and herbal medicine is increasingly recognised in modern medical practice, according to Dr Aung Myint, vice rector at Mandalay’s University of Traditional Medicine.

“Traditional medicine has an important place in modern medicine and this has been helped by the global popularity of alternative medicine and complimentary medicine,” Dr Aung Myint said.

This year the university will alter its curriculum to take on a greater research focus. Of particular interested are herbal remedies for six common illnesses, including malaria and diabetes, and the akayint and bisat plants.

“Our university is working to improve Myanmar traditional Medicine. We hope, in time, herbal remedies will be more readily available, accessible, affordable, culturally acceptable and sustainable than Western medicines,” he said.

Traditional medicine is already extremely popular in Myanmar, with one recent survey showing 75 percent of people in the country used traditional medicine to treat their illness.

There are also economic and social benefits from herbal and traditional therapies. Dr Aung Myint says entire communities are often involved – and reliant – on the production of the medicines.

“There are those contributing materials; the drugs are hand-made from plants cultivated or just found in the wild. Curing is then carried out at home or at a shrine,” he said.

Matayar Daw Htu Htu, 60, has worked in the traditional medicine industry for almost 40 years. She says while the industry is growing there is still much improve-ment needed.

“It is now difficult to get the plants we need to make our products. They are rare in Myanmar but plentiful in India, it should be made easier for us to import them,” she said.

“Also, traditional medicine students need more practice and experience to ensure that our traditional medicines are improving, always getting better. The authorities should invite the traditional medicine experts, who have many years experience, to teach the students. This will help improve the industry,” she said.

The government has long been a supporter of traditional medicine. The Traditional Medicine Promotion Office was established under the Department of Health in 1953.

In 1972 an assistant director was appointed to further develop traditional medicine, under the technical guidance of the State Traditional Medicine Council. The government upgraded the division to a separate department in August 1989. It was then reorganised and expanded in 1998, with a remit to provide comprehensive traditional medicine services through the existing health care system, in line with the National Health Plan.