MYANMAR’S traditional medicine has been developed in keeping with our country’s geographical nature, climate, traditional philosophies and beliefs, and daily traditions and it is our traditional heritage. Besides,Traditional Medicine (TM) has helped to make Myanmar people fit and healthy and intelligent all through our history.
(Excerpt of Message from President U Win Myint to 19th Myanmar Traditional Medicine Practitioners’ Conference on 28th December, 2019)
The Ministry of Health and Sports (MOHS) in Myanmar is making every endeavor to promote traditional medicine from every aspect with the aim to provide medical care to the public. The MOHS is putting all the efforts into practicing traditional medicine handed down from successive eras as not only Experienced-Based Traditional Medicine but also Evidence-Based Traditional Medicine.
(Foreword of Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe from the book- Milestones of Traditional Medicine in Myanmar) The Department of Traditional Medicine (DTM) is now accelerating its pace to enable every citizen to attain full life expectancy and enjoy longevity of life free from diseases. It is important to integrate traditional medicine into the primary health care as 70% of the populations reside in the rural areas where traditional medicine is widely used. It is also in urgent need to raise the community’s awareness on traditional medicine participating in the primary health care.
So the MOHS launched the book entitled the Milestones of Traditional Medicine in Myanmar on 19, August, 2019. This is the very first event throughout the history of traditional medical field in Myanmar and the book has come out as a record within 41 years which will be a frame of reference for the new generation. The book is a compilation of milestones of traditional medicine for the following consecutive periods; era before Bagan, Bagan (AD 107 – 1298), Pinya and Sagaing
(AD 1299 – 1364), Ava (AD 1365 – 1555), Taungu (AD 1556 – 1612), Nyaung Yan (AD 1613 – 1752), Kone Baung (AD 1753 – 1885), Colonial period (1886 – 1948), three periods after independence (1949 – 1961) (1962 – 1973) (1974 – 1988) , Current situations of Traditional Medicine (1989 – 2019).
The DTM is gathering momentum to raise the community’s awareness by appointing traditional medicine ambassadors for TM promotion in Myanmar. The two ambassadors are new generation of traditional medicine. Among the traditional medicine ambassadors, Thu Riya, male ambassador, is the fifth generation of Sein Bayat traditional medicine manufacturing company and May Khin Hsu, female ambassador, is the third generation of Yoke Pyo Pharmaceuticals Co Ltd.The traditional medicine ambassadors expressed their gratitude and promised to take part in the activities collaborating with the Department of Traditional Medicine in the development of traditional medicine especially health literacy promotion in remote and hard-to-reach areas.The ambassadors suggested that new generation need innovative thinking without deviating fundamental principles in promoting traditional medicine.
The Union Minister, Deputy Minister, Permanent Secretaries attended this historic event and honored the Traditional Medicine Ambassadors. Union Minister encouraged the Traditional Medicine Ambassadors to promote health literacy and collaborate with the department and traditional medicine practitioners to raise awareness in remote and hard-to-reach areas. He also highlighted to explore records and milestones of traditional medicine by carrying out research based on the contents of the book (Milestones of Traditional Medicine in Myanmar).
In addition, the DTM is picking up speed to promote new thinking on innovation and access to traditional medicine on 19th August, 2019. So it is also believed that the Milestones of Traditional Medicine in Myanmar and Traditional Medicine Ambassadors will serve as a catalyst for promotion of traditional medicine in Myanmar.
By Dr Than Lwin Tun, Nay Nay Naing Yee, May Thazin, Honey Soe (Ministry of Health and Sports)
