Ong Ye Kung on integrating TCM with Healthier SG

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can play a useful role in lifestyle changes when it comes to making it part of the Healthier SG national preventive healthcare scheme, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung in Parliament on Monday (Nov 11). Health screening, vaccination and chronic disease management, being Western medicine interventions, will have to continue to be performed by general practitioners (GPs). Mr Ong said his ministry will consult Western doctors and TCM practitioners on how they can collaborate on care, and training and support for TCM practitioners will be based on this. A fruitful collaboration, he said, should lead to an increased uptake of preventive care such as screenings and vaccinations, and adoption of healthier lifestyles. MOH and the TCM Practitioners Board will launch a voluntary accreditation system to accredit TCM providers that can take part in Healthier SG. This will ensure good governance, adherence to protocols and maintenance of professional competencies, said Mr Ong. As for medical certificates (MCs), employers have the discretion to recognise those issued by TCM practitioners though they are not legally bound to do so. Answering an MP’s question, Mr Ong said the authorities should review scientific research on TCM to explore the possibility of further integrating it in acute hospital settings, beyond acupuncture for back and neck pain.