Alternative medicine receives official ‘OK’

Dubai Healthcare City has set up a Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) Council, the first of its kind in the Middle East. The council, set up by DHCC's Center for Planning and Quality (CPQ,) will be led by prominent alternative medicine practitioners and will be responsible for licensing CAM professionals under specific rules and regulations.

Ahmad Sharaf, senior vice president, healthcare and energy, Tatweer, said: "In its endeavour to offer world-class healthcare services, DHCC has opened its doors to alternative medicine therapy, which is gaining wide acceptance worldwide. With this, DHCC further reiterates its commitment to provide a balanced combination of traditional and modern medicine while catering to a larger segment of the community."

According to the World Health Organisation, interest in CAM has grown considerably in many developed countries during the last decade. Its phenomenal global impact has prompted some major universities worldwide to set up alternative medicine educational centres.

Dr. Muhadditha Al-Hashimi, CEO, Dubai Healthcare City, said: "The establishment of the Complementary & Alternative Medicine Council is our response to global trends, reflecting the growing popularity of alternative medicine and traditional practices. The council also demonstrates DHCC's efforts to operate on the global level as an efficient and leading market player."

Dr. Ayesha Abdullah, chief executive officer, Centre of Healthcare Planning and Quality, said: "The use of these alternative therapies is growing. A survey by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the National Institutes of Health in the United States, has stated that in 2002, more than 36% of the Americans used one form or the other of alternative therapy during the preceding 12 months, while nearly 50% had availed of these therapies at some point in their lifetime."

Print | Email | Discuss this article |

READERS' COMMENTS

View all comments (0)

Have your say

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Security Code *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM