ON MARCH 31, the World Health Organisation (WHO) released the meeting report of “WHO Expert Meeting on Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the Treatment of Covid-19” on its official website.
The report acknowledged that based on clinically relevant outcome measures, the studied TCMs are beneficial in treating Covid-19, particularly in mild-to-moderate cases.
WHO encourages member states to consider integrating traditional medicine interventions such as TCM in planning for the clinical management of Covid-19 in the context of their healthcare systems and regulatory framework.
The report pointed out that in treating Covid-19, there are promising data to suggest that TCM is beneficial in reducing the risk of progression from mild-to-moderate cases to severe Covid-19. When administered as add-on interventions to conventional treatment, TCM may shorten the time for viral clearance, resolution of clinical symptoms, and length of hospital stay compared to conventional treatment alone.
Member States are encouraged to consider the potential use of TCM for the management of Covid-19 in the context of their healthcare systems and regulatory frameworks; share experiences and lessons, particularly those actively acquired through this organised research programme in TCM and clinical experience from China.
Yu Wenming, head of China’s National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said China is willing to assist the other WHO Member States in strengthening the role of traditional medicine in their health systems.
