Traditional medicines
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 20 2019: While Manipuri traditional medicine and healing practices are rapidly disappearing from the State, Myanmar's traditional medicine and healing system are flourishing with the Myanmar Government working tirelessly for promoting and preserving the same.

Retired Director General, Government of Myanmar, Professor Aung Mying, while giving a power point presentation at the inaugural function of the one-day workshop on 'Medicinal Herbs, Traditional Healing Systems & Scope for Bamboo of Myanmar & Manipur' which was held at VC's conference hall today, conveyed that the traditional medicine in Myanmar has been thriving with the promotion and standardising activities of traditional medicine gaining momentum.

He went on to claim that Traditional Medicine Promotion Office was established under Department of Health and a law was enacted to adhere to the rule of conduct of traditional medicine in 1950s.The Department of Traditional Medicine was subsequently established as a separate Department under the Ministry of Health in Myanmar in 1989 and since then, the nurturing, promotion, standardization and modernization of traditional medicine in Myanmar have been taking shape.

Aung Mying, who is also the WHO Regional Expert in Traditional Medicine for Asia Pacific Region, further highlighted how the Myanmar Government is giving special emphasis on scientific research and development of traditional medicine through capacity building, increasing the scope of scientific and systematic research and quality control of traditional medicine among other initiatives.

The promotion works of traditional medicine in Myanmar is not just merely confined to hospitals and clinics, but rather focused on human resource development and education programme which include digitization and publication of text books and articles related to traditional medicine.

With the Government of Myanmar considering the country's traditional medicine as its pride, it has been integrated with Western treatment and the manufacturing of traditional medicine of Myanmar for export is done under ISO-9000.Meanwhile, retired Professor of Department of Philosophy, Manipur University (MU), Salam Shyamkishor Singh observed that the ancient healing and traditional methods of medication in the State has almost died out in the present day.

Noting that the Manipuri traditional healing system and medication method were the only means to save lives in the ancient times, he lamented that the prolonged negligence of the Government has led to the vanishing of the practice apart from the extinction of many medicinal herbs and plants in the State.

Stating that there are still many ways and measures that can be taken up by the Government to revive the medicinal herbs and traditional healing system of the State, the retired Professor pointed out that a strong political will is necessary to do so.

He then exuded confidence that the workshop will be an eye-opener for the people of the State, especially the youth and the Government.

Additional PCCF and National Bamboo Mission, State Mission Director Dr DD Haokip informed that the State Government is planning to grow commercial bamboo species in many accessible areas of the State as part of a future action plan.

He claimed that the State Government is also trying to establish four bamboo producing units in Imphal East, Noney, Churachandpur and Tamenglong districts adding the bamboo producing unit at Imphal East has already been installed.

Haokip also opined that growing bamboo as well as establishing bamboo producing units in the State will help in improving the socio economic conditions of the people to a great extent.

Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy (CSSEIP) Director Professor Amar Yumnam, retired General Dr Konsam Himalaya, Bena India Private Limited Director Teruaki Watnabe, Ayawaddy Bamboo Association, president Dr Win Myint and Nippon Myanmar Traditional Medicine Development Foundation Professor Than Htun, also attended the event.

Many of the presidium members also spoke on topics related to medicinal herbs and traditional healing system as well as the scope for the bamboos grown in Manipur and Myanmar.

Panel discussions were also held in the latter part of the workshop which was organized by CSSEIP, Department of South East Asian Studies, MU in collaboration with South East Asia Centre for Agricultural Sciences and Humanities (SEACASH) under the aegis of Marjing Industries Private Limited, Manipur, NBM, GoM and National rural Health Mission, GoM.

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