Page 58 - Proceedings of The Fifth Meeting of Indigenous Medicine in the Mekong Basin

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1. Indigenous medicine for mother and child care and Muslim midwives
2. Community health care with local herb and food
3. Indigenous bone-setters specialized in treatment of broken bones
4. Folk healers specialized in treatment of snake bites and other venomous
animal bites
5. Indigenous medicine for the care of diabetes patients
6. Indigenous medicine for the care of cancer patients
7. Indigenous medicine for the care of paresis/paralysis patients

2.2 Utilization in Thailand’s health system
Thai indigenous medicine is related to Thai traditional medicine. However,
Thai indigenous medicine is still in its beginning period compared to Thai traditional
medicine which has been systematically developed and is carried out under
occupational standards. There is also a law to oversee, regulate, and support Thai
traditional medicine. Currently, 25 government health service providers (general
hospitals, community hospitals, district hospitals) from 24 provinces have included
folk healers’ herbal medicine with good therapeutic results in their List of Thai
Traditional Medicine for Hospitals and Public Health Service Units. These hospitals
have also developed a joint healthcare system where they work with indigenous
healers with specialties such as treatment of broken bones, post-natal care,
antivenom treatment for snake bites, treatment of chronic illnesses/paresis/paralysis,
frozen shoulder, psoriasis and cirrhosis.
The work to support the utilization of folk medicine in the public health system
has resulted from the co-operation with both government and private organizations
such as:
(1) The support and development of Thai traditional medicine and Thai
indigenous medicine services in primary health care units. The DTAM has carried
out the project to establish district hospitals specializing in Thai Traditional Medicine
since the year 2010. This is the opportunity to combine Thai traditional medicine in
the community health care, foster understanding, create learning opportunities, and
develop co-operation in public health care with folk healers. The project aims to
operate in 230 target areas. It currently has 190 operations due to lack of Thai
traditional medicine personnel.
(2) The establishment of Thai Traditional Medicine Fund by the financial
support from the National Health Security Office (NHSO). The fund supports health
service units in providing Thai traditional medicine services. It also set up District
Health Security Fund project. This co-operation is aimed at providing better access
for the public. It encourages the development of community health care system with
indigenous healers for chronic illnesses such as paresis and paralysis.
(3) The organization of activities to encourage the use of local wisdom and
herb. For example, Health Promotion by Thai Traditional Medicine, Thai Alternative
Medicine, and Thai Indigenous Medicine Fair is held every year in four regions by
the department and the Provincial Public Health Offices. Another example is
National Herb Expo held yearly by partners of the departments under The Ministry of
Public Health. The fairs promote the use of herb as well as provide opportunity for
learning and sharing information on Thai traditional medicine, indigenous medicine
and alternative medicine. The event provides educational activities, exhibitions,
treatment services, shops and other activities from network of folk healers in the
provinces.