Traditional Chinese medicine crucial in treating SARS: experts
( 2003-05-14 14:51 ) (8)

The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic has triggered calls for a national program to systematically use traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat the disease.

"TCM should become part of the comprehensive treatment of SARS, combined with Western medicine, as soon as possible across China and the world. It should be more than just a discretionary aid," Tuesday's China Daily quoted Huang Mingda, an expert from Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, as saying.

　　The proposed program, which extends to policy-making, clinical treatment, technical support, and medicine research, is expected to share the latest TCM research to combat SARS with the public and medical profession, Huang noted.

He said Premier Wen Jiabao had commented on the proposal, saying that both TCM and Western medicines should be used to prevent and treat SARS.

Qiao Enxiang, a doctor from the Sino-Japanese Friendship Hospital, said the Chinese people have overcome countless epidemics throughout their long history with the help of TCM and are experienced in fighting unknown viruses.