Tradition And Medicine In Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the few countries in the world with well-established health system that provide universal coverage of essential services to its citizen. The country is blessed with multi-ethnic societies rich with cultural heritage. Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) based on Malay, Chinese and Indian practice modalities have been in existence for more than a century. In 2006, the government of Malaysia took a bold step to formally integrate T&CM into the national health system of Malaysia. This book reports the outcome of a study conducted among health professionals in five major hospitals in Malaysia covering their knowledge, practical experience and attitudes toward T&CM. Four of the hospitals were integrated hospitals providing various modalities of T&CM to patients on regular basis. Qualitative and quantitative methods were employed in the study in order to obtain valid and reliable information from the respondents. Doctors, nurses and pharmacists practicing modern medicine in these five hospitals filled up self-administered questionnaires. The respondents were subsequently selected to participate in a more detail in-depth interviews. The book provides the best reference on the acceptance of T&CM in the modern health system that can be used as guide to policy makers in other parts of the world that plan to embark on the similar policies.

Approximately 600 references to books and journal articles. "Inclusion in this bibliography is based on their pertinence to the traditional or indigenous form of medical systems practiced by the various races." Alphabetical listing by authors. Each entry gives bibliographical information. Contains a list of sources, journals cited, definitive bibliography, supplement to bibliography, and subject index.

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"This book presents interesting topics on traditional practices, particularly of the Malay community in women healthcare after childbirth and during the confinement period. This tradition is still widely practiced despite the rapid modernization of the country. The traditional practice of using plants with medicinal values is still practiced in several places in Malaysia. Medicinal plant such as betel is not only evident in treating a number of diseases, but is also used as a symbol of culture, for example to the people in Aceh, Indonesia. This shows that local knowledge is the most important element in the life of a community and significant efforts to protect and preserve the knowledge must be continued. This book is an initiative to document the local knowledge of Malaysian and Acehnese society, and is dedicated to students, academicians as well as the general public"--Rear cover.