The 2021 BRICS Symposium on Traditional Medicine was co-hosted by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM) and the Ministry of Ayush of India, in a combination of online and offline formats a few days ago.

　　Officials and experts in the field of traditional medicine from the BRICS countries conducted in-depth discussions on the theme "The role of traditional medicine in public health interventions on COVID-19 in BRICS countries". The representatives unanimously adopted the "2021 BRICS Online Declaration on the Application of Traditional Medicine to Combat the COVID-19", calling on each BRICS member country to further utilize the unique advantages and role of traditional medicine in the prevention and control of the pandemic.

　　In the fight against COVID-19, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has made outstanding contributions, and traditional medicines in other countries have also generated unique positive influences. The declaration calls for BRICS countries to support relevant institutions to jointly carry out clinical efficacy evaluation and research work, on the effective prescriptions of traditional medicine in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, and improve diagnosis and treatment plans that combine traditional medicine and modern medicine. This provides more reference for further involving traditional medicine in the prevention and control of the global pandemic.

　　The declaration also proposes to further deepen exchanges and cooperation in the field of traditional medicine, support relevant institutions to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in medical treatment, education, scientific research and industry concerning traditional medicine.

　　The declaration also calls on BRICS countries to share the experience and achievements of traditional medicine development, which can make traditional medicine better protect the health of local people.

　　At the symposium, Huang Luqi, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and director of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, and Zhang Zhongde, vice president of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, introduced how TCM was used in fighting against COVID19. They focused on how to deal with the "Delta" and "Delta+" variants of COVID19 with TCM. Traditional medicine experts from India, South Africa, Brazil, and Russia also conducted academic discussions and exchanges on the experience and effectiveness of their traditional medicine in the fight against the pandemic, and put forward their suggestions on strengthening exchanges and cooperation regarding traditional medicine in the future.

　　Yu Wenming, director of NATCM, noted that they have supported more than 110 COVID-19 related exchange activities since the pandemic outbreak, including "Forum on Traditional Chinese Medicine and International Cooperation to Fight Against the COVID-19 Pandemic". The BRICS countries have maintained good cooperation in the field of traditional medicine. This symposium will further promote the BRICS countries to have traditional medicine play an active role in the prevention, control and treatment of the pandemic.

(Source: Xinhua)