Only Homeopathy Practitioners Allowed In Hospitals, Says Dr Ismail

KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 (Bernama) -- Only traditional medicine practitioners in the registered homeopathy field who met the criteria set by the Health Ministry will be allowed to practise in government hospitals.
Health Services Director-General Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said the ministry would not permit any group from among traditional healers, particularly bomohs, to treat patients in hospitals.
"We have taken the approach that those wishing to practise traditional medicine in hospitals must be registered. Only then we will know whether they are qualified or not," he told reporters Tuesday.
Dr Ismail said the move to enlist the services of traditional healers was not against the law as they are recognised by the World Health Organisation.
"We cannot ignore traditional medicine as many Malaysians and people in developing countries still use traditional medicines," he said.
Earlier, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad, when launching the Professional Award Day, said the event was held every year to recognise doctors' services in line with the ministry's plan and that of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to give emphasis to human capital development.
Dr Ismail was announced as the recipient of the "Outstanding Academic Award" while Kuala Lumpur Hospital's Deputy Director (Medical) Datuk Dr Abdul Gani Mohamad Din won the "Professional Management Award."