The development status and analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Philippine / 国际中医中药杂志

ABSTRACT

The Philippines’ medical system is mainly based on the provincial responsibility system and the limited hierarchical. The Philippine government implement Philhealth program which can provide medical insurance for most people. The top 10 fatal diseases in this country includes ischemic heart disease, stroke, lower respiratory tract infection and so on. Of these diseases, the increasing rate of hypertensive heart disease, chronic kidney disease and diabetes are fast. Bone setting, massage and herbal medicine are the major form of traditional medicine in the Philippines. The acceptance of acupuncture and moxibustion by the government and local people is relatively high acupuncture and moxibustion therapy has been included in its medical insurance. There are many limitations on the development of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory and Chinese herbal medicine in the Philippines, and the clinical application of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine is still limited. TCM education in the Philippines is still not systematic. Therefore, it is suggested to improve the education system of TCM, strengthen the promotion of acupuncture and moxibustion, give full play of the advantages of TCM for native high-risk diseases, and to make use of modern technologies such as telemedicine.