Strengthening T&CM knowledge amongst health professionals

Traditional & Complementary Medicine (T&CM) Unit of Institut Kanser Negara (National Cancer Institute; NCI), in collaboration with UTAR, conducted Herbal Pharmacy Workshop Series II from 7 October 2019 to 9 October 2019.

Front row, second from left: Dr Teo, Dr Te and Dr Mohd Anis with participants

The workshop was inaugurated at NCI and was officiated by Director of NCI, Dr Mohd Anis bin Haron@Harun. Dr Teo Chiah Shean, the Head of T&CM Unit NCI and also the chairperson of this workshop said that this workshop aimed to impart the knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to health professionals, giving them a deeper understanding of Chinese Herbal Medicine that could help them better serve their patients.

The workshop saw the participation of pharmacists from various institutes under Ministry of Health Malaysia, including T&CM Division; National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA); T&CM branch offices from Pulau Pinang, Johor, Terengganu, Perak, Sarawak and Sabah; and MOH hospitals with T&CM Unit which provide herbal therapy as adjunct treatment for cancer, such as Hospital Kepala Batas Pulau Pinang; Hospital Sultan Ismail Johor; Hospital Wanita & Kanak-kanak Sabah and NCI.

The three-day workshop featured both theoretical and practical sessions, delivered by UTAR Centre for Research in Traditional Chinese Medicine (CRTCM) Chairperson-cum-Department of Chinese Medicine Head Assoc Prof Dr Te Kian Keong, Clinical TCM Programme Head Judick Yap Wei Hoong, and Department of Chinese Medicine lecturer Go Pei Heng. The first two days of the workshop was conducted at NCI, while the last day was held at Acupuncture and Tuina Training Centre (ATTC) of UTAR Sungai Long Campus.

From left: Dr Te and Go giving their talks at NCI

Participants listening attentively in the class conducted by Judick Yap at ATTC

Dr Te, during his session, introduced the history of traditional Chinese medicine. He covered the TCM theory of Yin Yang, five elements, Qi, blood, and Zang Fu. He shared with participants the knowledge about TCM diagnostics and causes of diseases and explained the connection between TCM and western medicine. Judick Yap and Go, on the other hand, focused their talk on Chinese Herbal Medicine. They presented a wide range of Chinese Materia Medica and explained its medicinal properties. They also shared the method of processing and application of herbs with participants in order to enhance their understanding on the essence of various herbal components.

The participants had a tour around the UTAR Herbal Showroom for a better learning experience

The participants during the lab tour

During the workshop, the participants were given a chance to prepare herbal decoction which involved formulating decoction, soaking and boiling herbs, and learning how to store the plant medicines in an interactive and hands-on-herbal way. In order to further enhance their understanding on Chinese Herbal Medicine, they were given a chance to taste a variety of herbs, experience TCM manipulative therapies such as Tui-Na, acupuncture and fire cupping, and visited UTAR TCM centre, laboratories, and library. They were also given an assessment to determine their learning outcome and to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme.

Participants tasting various herbs

Judick Yap demonstrating Tui-Na

Participants trying their hands on preparing herbal decoction

The workshop included activities such as herbs boiling (left) and storing

Herbs were stored in glass jars for exhibition

Participants during the assessment

One of the participants Neo Suk Xian, from Hospital Sultan Ismail Johor, commented that the workshop provided her with good experience to learn about TCM. According to her, patients will usually inquire about the use of herbal medicines and the pharmacists should be aware of the types of herbal medicines that the patients are consuming to avoid drug-herb interactions. “We not only need to know more about Chinese medicine, but also any traditional Chinese medicine that could be found locally,” she said. She added, “Some spices that Indians usually consume could also cause food-drug interaction.”

On the other hand, Nur Atiqah binti Kamalrodin from NPRA Centre for Investigational Product said that the workshop provided good exposure for her to widen her knowledge on herbs and their nature, as well as Chinese medical practices such as acupuncture and cupping therapy. She explained that her job was related to the evaluations of various herbal medicines, and she said, “The value of herbs should be appreciated more. More research studies need to be done to prove their health benefits.”

Commenting on the programme, Lee Leong Shean from NCI said that the programme was well-arranged and the contents of the course were easy to understand for beginners like him. He was amazed by the collection of preserved plant specimens during the tour in UTAR Herbal Showroom. He also hoped to have more opportunities to learn more about herbal medicine and its applications.

The programme ended on a high note with a group photo session and certificate presentation from Dr Teo Chiah Shean to the participants.

Dr Teo (centre) with participants