Malaysia To Strengthen Cooperation With China In TCM

BEIJING, Nov 9 (Bernama)-- Malaysia's cooperation with China in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been strengthened with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU)on policy regulation and promotion of traditional medicine by the two countries on Oct 7. Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said the signing of the MoU would provide opportunities for Malaysia and China to cooperate in fields such as treatment, research and development(R&D) and training in TCM. He said a joint working committee would be formed to implement the areas of cooperation between two countries, including the proposed setting up of a centre of excellence for TCM in Salak Tinggi, Selangor. The project is still awaiting approval from the government, he told Bernama here. He said the Health Ministry from both countries would work together to produce software programmes for TCM training and research and development, as well as explore ways to promote TCM in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, Health Deputy Director-General (Medical) Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry would launch a pain free hospital, which is a new concept in pursuit of pain relief, on Dec 14 in Ipoh. --BERNAMA Malaysia