Bontoc, Mtn. Prov. – To promote health care awareness, the Department of Health (DOH) – Mountain Province Office, Provincial Government of Mountain Province, Provincial Health Office and the Cordillera Traditional and Alternative Health Care Organization (CTAHCO) launched the Traditional Alternative Health Care and Ear Acupuncture clinic during the first Monday Flag Raising Ceremony this November.
Following the launching was a one-day ear acupuncture activity at the Capitol Quadrangle. This was in line with the celebration of Traditional Alternative Healthcare Month this November. Trained acupuncturists within and outside the province and members of CTAHCO converged in the capital town for the conduct of the activity.
According to Dr. Natividad T. Orprecio of DOH, the launching and the one-day activity aim to heighten public awareness on the availability of traditional and complementary medicine and treatment. It encourages the integration of traditional and western medicine in the prevention, rehabilitation and treatment of ailments, substance abuse, alcohol and cigarette addiction as well as other lifestyle diseases.
Dr. Victoria M. Ducat, CTAHCO president, said that ear acupuncture is among the traditional medications used together with mainstream medical treatment and care in the belief that combining the two would enhance the efficiency of treatment. She clarified that these alternative medications do not seek to compete with the modern medicines but to work together in the treatment of ailments.
Acupuncture which originated from China about 3000 years ago is widely promoted by the Philippine Institute of Alternative Health care.
RA 8423 or the TAMA (Traditional Alternative Medicine Act) Law created the Philippine Institute of Alternative Health care to accelerate the development of traditional and alternative health care and their integration in the national health care delivery system in the Philippines.
The DOH recognizes the traditional and alternative ways of healing. The Igorot culture for one has many ways of traditional healing and among these are “nan en-amad si mata” (optometrist/ ophthalmologist), “en-ilot” (bone specialist), “ensop-ok”, “kulkulis” and “gisgisto”. Also we have medicinal plants for bruises and infections.
The Traditional Alternative Health Care and Ear Acupuncture clinic is open to all every first Thursday of the month and it will cater to anyone who wants to avail of their services. In the meantime, the Congressional Hall, 4th floor of the Provincial Capitol building will be utilized as a venue for the wellness activities.
Aside from ear acupuncture, the clinic is planning to offer other alternative and traditional health care services in the future. Dr. Orprecio said that the turnout of patients last Monday showed the clamor for traditional alternative health care. About 178 patients mostly from the capital town were recipients of acupuncture services. Some also came from the adjacent municipalities of Bauko, Sagada, Tadian and other towns.
Meanwhile, during its launching, Dr. Orprecio acknowledged the strong support of Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan Jr., Board Member Cariño S. Tamang, Atty. Cyphrine Maxcel Y. Dalog, Bishop Valentine Dimoc, Atty. Inglay Fokno, CTACO and many other individuals who made the conduct of the activity possible.
Gov. Lacwasan expressed his support during the launching activity. “I believe that bringing the welfare clinic in our place will surely benefit our constituents since this traditional way of medication is endorsed by the DOH and as well as supported by the constitution,” he said.** Erwin S. Batnag
