Further moves called for supporting TCM

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient system of medicine developed in China over thousands of years. TCM practitioners take a holistic approach to health. Instead of treating specific symptoms of a disease in isolation, they look at the body as a whole and work to identify the underlying causes of the disease.

The Chinese government has continuously promoted TCM in the country in recent years, as part of an initiative to revive Chinese culture and supply alternative healthcare options for its people. The effort has resulted in an increase in the number of TCM institutions, practitioners, beds, and outpatient visits.

Statistics released Oct. 12 by the nation’s health authorities revealed that by the end of last year, there were 80,319 TCM institutions in China, a 3.8% increase over the previous year. In 2022, a total of 1.23 billion patients sought TCM treatments, 1.6% more than the previous year and comprising 14.6% of all patients seeking medical services in China.

A review of the figures gives the impression that there is still large room for improvement in promoting TCM services among the Chinese public.

Thanks to TCM’s accessibility, affordability, and focus on herbal medicines and non-invasive treatments such as acupuncture, massage, and cupping, more TCM institutions and practitioners can be integrated into primary health care, particularly in rural and remote areas to better serve populations in those areas.

The wisdom of TCM can also play a more significant role in disease control and prevention and in promoting a healthier lifestyle among the general public.

More scientific research is needed to modernize TCM, with a focus on the biochemical research of herbs. It is viable to increase investment in targeted studies on classic herbal formulas, and in the integration of TCM treatments into the framework of Western medicine.

A more scientific approach to TCM will help this traditional legacy to win over the support of younger generations, who are generally well-educated and prefer to base their judgment on science theories and logic.

Health and medical authorities need to tighten oversight of TCM practitioners, making sure that they have required certificates.

Health authorities also need to publish standardized treatment guidelines, similar to the common practice of Western medicine.

It is also recommended that the authorities create more opportunities for Chinese researchers and practitioners to exchange with doctors and researchers of traditional Korean medicine and practitioners of Japanese Kampo, as the traditions in these countries share similar beliefs and origins.

In summary, continued efforts are necessary from the government and practitioners to improve oversight, expand accessibility, promote research, enhance international exchanges, and better integrate TCM into the public health system.

(The author is a Beijing-based commentator.)