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Experts of the World Health Organization (WHO) are meeting in Hong Kong for two days (November 18 to 19) to discuss a draft strategy that is designed to steer traditional medicine in the Western Pacific Region (WPR) into the next decade.
The meeting comprises about 25 experts from the WHO and 11 countries in the region, including Australia, Japan, Kiribati, Korea, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, the Mainland and Vietnam. They are joined by local experts.
The event, entitled "Experts' Consultation Meeting on Regional Strategy for Traditional Medicine in the Western Pacific Region, 2011-2020", is organised by the WPR Office with support from the Department of Health. The Director of Health, Dr P Y Lam, was elected as chairperson of the meeting.
The meeting aims at reviewing the latest developments and challenges in traditional medicine in the Western Pacific Region, and putting together views to develop a draft strategy for the next decade.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Dr Lam said Hong Kong is honoured to have been invited to support this very meaningful and important event.
"Significant developments have occurred and new challenges have also emerged during the past decade. It is an opportune time to take our collaboration in traditional medicine to the next new stage," he said.
"Our collaborative efforts are directed at promoting the formulation of national policy on traditional medicine, and to advancing its integration into our healthcare systems. The new Regional Strategy will ensure that traditional medicine is a health priority in the region and that it is being used safely and appropriately for the benefit of our people."
Ends/Thursday, November 18, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:30
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