28/11/2010
November is observed as Traditional and Alternative Health Care (TAHC) Month throughout the country.

The month-long celebration is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 698, which is an expression of government support to the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act of 1997, Republic Act No. 8423. It is the policy of the State to improve the quality and delivery of health care services to Filipinos through the development of Traditional and Alternative Health Care, integrate this into the national health care delivery system, and promote and provide a wide range of affordable, accessible and effective traditional and complementary/alternative health care options for Filipinos.

The law provides that since much of the medical care in the country is focused on primary health care, which is the first lien of defense, there is a need to encourage and educate Filipinos to adopt a healthy lifestyle and make them aware of the existence of traditional and alternative medicine which are effective and affordable for preventing and healing a wide variety of ailments and diseases.

Policies to protect indigenous and natural health resources and technology from unwarranted exploitation and strengthen the role of the TAHC delivery system have been formulated. Standards, guidelines, and codes of ethical practice appropriate for the practice of TAHC (in the manufacture, quality control, and marketing of various traditional and alternative health care materials, natural and organic products, for approval and adoption by the appropriate government agencies, have been established. Skills training courses for various TACH modalities have been developed and coordinated.

Directed to organize and coordinate the activities for the celebration this month is the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care and the Department of Health, in cooperation with participating government and non-government organizations. Considering the cost of health care and medicines these days, the continuing effort of the government and its partner agencies to accelerate research and development on the country’s around 2,000 medicinal plants, and to heighten public awareness regarding traditional and alternative health care are welcome, as these will help make accessible to every Filipino effective and affordable health care options.

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