The World Health Organisation has published this document: PDF. It’s their traditional medicine strategy for 2014-23. Here’s just one of the things that raised an eyebrow or two:
Strategic actions for Member States:
1. Based on the greatest potential risks and/or benefits attributable to T&CM used in their country:
a. monitor the safety of T&CM;
b. identify sources of evidence, whether historical, traditional or scientific, which support or invalidate a particular therapy;
c. determine the risk/benefit profile, including cost-effectiveness.
I couldn’t imagine a WHO document proposing this approach to, say, vaccination or drinking water strategies. They’re actually saying that member states should identify sources of non-scientific evidence and determine the risk/benefit profile of ‘traditional medicines’. I’m not even sure what historical or traditional evidence of effectiveness might entail, let alone how these types of evidence might be incorporated into a risk/benefit analysis. As I’m slightly perplexed by this, I decided to email the WHO and ask for some clarification.
In the meantime, by way of comparison, here’s what their water quality strategy document says:
1.3 This strategy, centred on primary prevention of waterborne and water-related diseases, has the following five strategic objectives for the period 2013 to 2020:
1. Obtain the most rigorous and relevant evidence regarding water quality and health