Alternative medicine practitioners want rules eased

(MENAFN-Arab News) Alternative medicine and traditional medicine seem to be at odds with each other, despite both practices moving in the same direction. A number of alternative medicine practitioners have recently criticized the Ministry of Health’s approach to alternative medicine in the country describing the conditions to gain a license set by the ministry as a huge barrier and demanding they be given the licenses to treat patients.

According to the practitioners, the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, which is responsible for classifying doctors and giving them the licenses, has never paid attention to alternative medicine, and does not grant any license, with the exception of acupuncture practice

Although the Ministry of Health has allowed some practices related to alternative medicine, practitioners face penalties of up to SR10,000 and the closing of the center if they operate without the proper license as per regulations

Meanwhile, patients are less concerned about the ongoing conflict than about their course of treatment for better health whether through traditional medicine or alternative medicine. Some patients talked to a local newspaper in this regard

Hamza Khurais, says he suffered from shortness of breath while sleeping, but benefited from the treatment of an acupuncture center despite the high cost.

Another patient, Hind Saleh Abualfarag, suffered from obesity and lack of sleep. After trying acupuncture treatment for five months, Hind says she has lost 28 kg and can now sleep better.

Dr. Yasser Jamal, consultant in pediatric surgery and cosmetic surgery, said that alternative medicine such as treatment with herbs, acupuncture or cupping is very successful in many countries if done according to the rules.

Dr. Mahmoud Abdul-Jawad, chairman of the Jeddah General Medical Health, and previously a director at the licenses department, revealed that a committee at the National Center for Alternative Medicine is currently considering allowing cupping practices. “The practice of acupuncture is already licensed as it is recognized by the World Health Organization, while the practice of herbal medicine still needs to be rationalized and scientifically studied,” he said

Dr. Hussein Hamid Dakkil, consultant in surgery and biological medicine (modern high-tech Chinese acupuncture medicine) and the first Saudi physician with a Ph.D. in cancer of the digestive system from Germany, said that he had not received any support or feedback from the Ministry of Health, despite having written to them a number of times

“I authored a book, which is considered a scientific encyclopedia in the field of modern high-tech Chinese acupuncture medicine, regarding accurate diagnosis and treatment,” noting that this book is rightly considered a pioneer in this field in Saudi Arabia

Dakkil demanded that the Ministry of Health establish a special department of acupuncture medicine, especially one that includes modern high-tech acupuncture. The Saudi Commission for Health has never paid attention to alternative medicine, he concluded

Dr. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Tofail, head of medicinal and herbal analysis at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, also criticized the role of the Ministry of Health in the alternative medicine practice, adding that random and unorganized practicing of alternative medicine has caused traditional medicine physicians to question and oppose the legitimacy of alternative medicine. He pointed to the failure of the National Center for Alternative Medicine, stressing that it was supposed to be under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher education and not the Ministry of Health, which is not a legislative authority

Mohsen Al-Hazmi, chairman of the Health Committee of the Shoura Council, confirmed that his council is open to receiving any proposal or request from citizens. The council will examine these proposals to issue licenses in this practice after they have been referred to authorities and proper recommendations and documentations have been concluded.