In a bid to help those who have turned their backs from illegal drugs, the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC), in celebrating the 9th TAHC Month, focused on the integration of traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) in the prevention, rehabilitation and treatment of substance-abuse addiction.
At least 150 people from different government agencies, non-governmental organizations, complementary medicine doctors, medical doctors, private sectors and several media outfits attended the event, which was held at the Diamond Hotel in Manila on November 23
Several authorities in T&CM were invited to present the latest data and developments in the different fields of alternative medicine. Speakers from other government agencies, such as the Dangerous Drugs Board, presented the updated statistics and situations regarding the fight against illegal drugs of the government.
PITAHC Director general Dr. Annabelle Pabiona-de Guzman in her speech stressed that this year’s theme of TAHC Month is very timely, saying, “We are one with our dear President in his fight against drug addiction in the Philippines.”
Pabiona-de Guzman also added that, “The increasing number of drug users among our Filipino population has triggered the government’s commitment to solve this menace to society. Substance-abuse addiction is a formidable condition manifested by a strong desire for drugs, that with continued use, can result in negative consequences—destroying a person’s life and breaking down families. The newspapers headline the murders, rapes, heinous crimes secondary to drug abuse. The impact of drug abuse can be far reaching, affecting almost every organ in the human body.”
True to its commitment to promote and support the traditional and alternative medicine in the country, PITAHC continues to develop, innovate and introduce traditional, alternative and complementary solutions to drug or substance abuse addiction.
Recently, the PITAHC funded a research about medical cannabis, and according to Pabiona-De Guzman the stand of her agency is “it will be involved in the R&D [research and development] of medical cannabis for the use of various health problems, primarily pain, but as of this moment, we cannot legalize its use.”
She also called on other agencies to support the government’s efforts to bring to an end the illegal-drug trade in the country. “It is imperative upon each agency to contribute to the drug campaign according to its expertise and competence. Otherwise, the antidrug campaign is imperiled and the quality of the rehab program adversely affected. Thus, my challenge to all of us here in this convention: T&CM practitioners, academe, let us work together to further our knowledge and skills to help our fellowmen suffering from this malady.”
More so, the optimistic lady director also called on organizations to submit research proposals that will help in advancing the alternative and complementary medicine in the country.
For more information about PITAHC and its projects, e-mail pitahc@gmail.com or call (02) 376-3067 03 376-3068.