Speakers at a conference on natural medicines on Monday urged the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council to register practitioners of eastern medicine to provide patients with an option to seek treatment the natural way.
The conference, titled The Future of the Natural Medicines in Pakistan, Opportunities and Challenges, was organised by the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) University College of Conventional Medicines in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission.
It was presided over by Vice-Chancellor Dr Muhammad Mukhtar. Prof Abdul Hannan, the Hamdard University vice chancellor, was also present.
Dr Mukhtar said that the IUB was the first university in the country to introduce a five-year Bachelor’s in Eastern Medicine and Surgery. He lauded the work of the University College of Conventional Medicines in promoting eastern medicines since its inception in 2000.
He said the college had been creating awareness among public about the benefits of traditional ways of treatment and the importance of herbal medicines.
He said the traditional ways of treatment had been gaining popularity. He cited use of green tea for cancer treatment as an example.
He stressed the need for improving quality of herbal and conventional medicines manufactured in Pakistan to maintain international standards and compete with international exporters.
He said there was great competition in the eastern medicine market. He said Pakistan’s exports [of these medicines] were $160 million per year. India, he said, was exporting more than $1 billion worth of herbal medicines a year.
Prof Hannan called for a joint effort for the promotion of eastern medicines in Pakistan. He also urged the government and universities to provide facilities to the aspiring researchers. He advised young doctors to promote conventional medicines.
Earlier, Dr Mukhtar said that the IUB had been effectively imparting quality education to the students and improving the economic conditions and promotion of technology in the south Punjab. He said the university focused on providing assistance to students on foreign scholarships and to study and research in the renowned educational institutes of the world.
An exhibition of herbal medicines was also organised on the campus by Qarshi University and Qarshi Industries.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 7th, 2013.