Adviser calling for TCM provisions in law

A national political adviser is calling for specific provisions about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in current legislation on the prevention and control of infectious diseases as well as the setting up of a TCM epidemic prevention and treatment emergency system.

Jiang Jian, a local CPPCC National Committee member and chief physician of Shuguang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, filed a proposal to the ongoing 3rd session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee about letting TCM better exert its functions in epidemic prevention and control.

According to the proposal, the nation's infectious diseases laws covered TCM when it was revised in 2004 but he felt the functions of TCM still haven't been fully exerted and TCM's use in epidemic prevention and treatment is restricted.

He offered three suggestions on enhancing TCM's role in epidemic prevention and treatment.

Firstly, he suggests that the 8th article of the law, which supports and encourages research in epidemic prevention and treatment with traditional medicine, can be specified with relevant policies being issued.

For example, it can cover the detailed procedures and mechanism of introducing TCM into epidemic prevention and treatment work, the clinical and scientific research coordination and operation systems of Western medicine and TCM, along with the cultivation of TCM talent and funding for TCM facilities.

Jiang's second suggestion is about strengthening the establishment of a TCM epidemic prevention and treatment emergency system, including organizing national TCM medical teams, improving TCM facilities and devices, setting up a TCM infectious disease information monitoring system and warning mechanism.

He also calls for enhancing the construction of key labs and clinical bases on using TCM to prevent and treat epidemics. He said these labs and clinical bases should focus on issues such as TCM's functions in etiology and primary prevention.