Workshop on Integration of the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Practices into the Health Systems and Health Services
Date: 18 April 2018
Venue: Istanbul - Türkiye

SESRIC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Turkey, organised a workshop on the “Integration of the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Practices into the Health Systems and Health Services” on 18 April 2018, in the historical city of Istanbul, Turkey.

The workshop took place on the sidelines of the “1st International Traditional and Complementary Medicine Congress” organised by the Ministry of Health of Turkey between 19-22 April 2018, under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, in technical partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The Workshop aimed at improving the access of OIC Countries to integrated quality health care services through the integration of traditional and complementary medicine into the modern healthcare system of OIC Countries, in accordance with the OIC SHPA and the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014–2023.

The aim of integrated health care systems is to provide services which are not disconnected from each other. In other words, to provide the right care, at the right time and place, so the people can get the care they need, and achieve the desired results. This is widely considered to provide superior performance in terms of quality and safety as a result of standardized protocols and efficient communication.

The integration of traditional and complementary medicine into the modern health care system will help prevent current abuses and assure a more effective application of preventive medicine measures, as well as help restraining health expenses of the OIC Countries, as a supportive mechanism.

Furthermore, this workshop was a great opportunity to promote the intra-OIC cooperation and exchange of knowledge and best practices on traditional and complementary medicine through scientific activities, experience sharing and collaboration amongst all related stakeholders.

The opening session of the programme was attended by H.E. Ms. Sümeyye Erdoğan Bayraktar, Vice President of the Women and Democracy Association, H.E. Prof. Eyüp Gümüş, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey, Assoc. Prof. Elif Güler Kazancı, Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, Prof. Dr. Alper Cihan, Director General of Health Services, and Mr. Mehmet Fatih Serenli, Director of Training and Technical Cooperation department at SESRIC, as well as 22 representatives from the OIC Member States.

On the occasion of the opening session, Mehmet Fatih Serenli, Director of Training and Technical Cooperation Department at SESRIC read the statement of H.E. Amb. Musa Kulaklıkaya, Director General of SESRIC, where he emphasized that the integration of traditional and complementary medicine into the modern health care system will help preventing current abuses and assure a more effective application of preventive medicine measures, as well as restraining health expenses in OIC Member States, as a supportive mechanism. He also mentioned that this first ever workshop on traditional and complementary medicine at OIC level will establish not only a common ground for participants to exchange ideas regarding the integration of T&CM into the health policies, standardization of practitioners, increasing awareness of patients on this issue but also will create a suitable environment to share various experiences and enhance cooperation within the OIC community.

H.E. Prof. Eyüp Gümüş, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey highlighted the increasing demand of traditional and complementary health services and by the way the importance of establishing a legal framework for regulating the health practices in this area.

As guest of honour during the opening session, H.E. Ms. Sümeyye Erdoğan Bayraktar, Vice President of the Women and Democracy Association, welcomed the participants and applauded such initiative for Turkey and OIC Member States, taking into consideration the rich heritage of the traditional and complementary medicine throughout our common history.

After the opening speeches, the meeting proceeded with the key presentation of Dr. Qi Zhang, Head of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Unit at World Health Organisation on “WHO Traditional and Complementary Medicine Strategy 2014-2023”; which was followed by “OIC Strategic Health Programme of Action 2014-2023” presentation delivered by Fatima Zahra Kamal, Technical Cooperation Specialist at SESRIC and the presentation on “Traditional and Complementary Medicine under the SHPA 1st Thematic Area: Health System Strengthening” delivered by Dr. Mehmet Zafer Kalaycı, Director of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Department at the Ministry of Health of Turkey.

The workshop heard as well detailed presentations on Member States’ experiences on the integration of the traditional and complementary medicine practices into their national health systems and health services. After exchanging views, knowledge and expertise among participants, the workshop came up with concrete recommendations on ways and means to facilitate integration of traditional and complementary medicine into health systems and health services of OIC Member States.

Documents:

Presentations:

  • Presentation 1: WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023 (English)
  • Presentation 2: OIC Strategic Health Programme of Action (SHPA) (English)
  • Presentation 3: Traditional and Complementary Medicine under the SHPA 1st Thematic Area: “Health System Strengthening” (English)

Countries Presentations:

Photos