BEIJING: The cooperation on traditional medicine between Malaysia and China inked in a memorandum of understand (MOU) last week will cover a diverse range of subjects, from research and development, to capacity building and scientific exchanges.

Malaysian ambassador to China Raja Datuk Nushirwan Zainal Abidin said it was a comprehensive collaboration.

“Besides the sharing of curriculum and syllabus on traditional medicine, there will also be cooperation on innovation, exchange of experts, technical and regulatory information.

“I am sure it is going to benefit both the Malaysians and the Chinese,” he said.

Represented by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Malaysia signed the MOU with China on Thursday.

China’s National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine commissioner Dr Yu Wen Ming signed on the country’s behalf.

Among others, the MOU will emphasise enhancing expertise on traditional medicine.

It will also enable both sides to exchange experts, practitioners, researchers and students as well as promote the supply of medicinal materials, products and documents.

To strengthen the partnership, both countries will further identify areas of cooperation for the promotion and regulation of traditional medicine, including educational training and practice.

The MOU is also aimed at setting up an effective communication network for the exchange of technical, scientific and regulatory information and carrying out activities such as training courses, seminars and study visits.

During the virtual signing ceremony, Khairy said that the ministry was committed to integrating traditional medicine with modern medicine as an effort to boost the health of Malaysians.

This is what China has been doing, and the method which was used to treat Covid-19 patients at the beginning of the pandemic in Wuhan in 2020, he said.

Chinese National Health Commission’s medical administration and supervision department officer Guo Yanhong had earlier said that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) played a vital role in the prevention and control of the coronavirus.

“TCM has been prioritised in the treatment of mild cases and it has been proven effective in easing patients’ clinical symptoms such as fever, cough, poor appetite and fatigue,” she said.

Guo noted that some traditional medicines were effective in reducing high fever in critically ill patients.