Chinese Medicine in Malaysia: Transition and Segregation

• In Event: 3129 - Section on Medical Sociology Refereed Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 3. Inequality and Health Behaviors

Abstract

Favored by the government policy and action Chinese medicine received momentum in Malaysia since the beginning of the twenty first century when Traditional & Complementary Medicine Division was established under the Ministry of Health Malaysia. Professionalization of education and practice according to Western line for locally trained Chinese Medicine practitioners was also begun at the same time. This paper argues that formalization has increasingly segregated Chinese Medicine in Malaysia and makes as middle class private phenomena. Bulk of the population from Malaysian society is excluded from Chinese Medicine education and health care services because of the nature of the health financing in the country and their socio-economic condition. An integrated education system is in place and that combines Western medicine and Chinese medicine modalities in the curriculum and makes Chinese medicine a hybrid practice. Ethnic and sex preferences are also prevailed in the education institutions and health care seeking. The Malaysian government has part to play for rescuing Chinese Medicine from middle class ethnic Chinese control to make accessible for mass population.

Author

• Md. Nazrul Islam, United International College