Francis N Keteh, Vice Minister of Health and Chief Medical Officer, Republic of Liberia
date：2023-09-13 09:47:33 views：
On September 6th, the 6th Belt and Road Forum for Traditional Chinese Medicine Development, as a summit forum of the 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services, was successfully held at the Beijing National Convention Center. The forum was co-hosted by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, with the theme: 'Deepening Cooperation of Belt and Road Traditional Chinese Medicine Development and Jointly Creating a Global Community of Health for All'. Officials from Chinese and foreign government departments, representatives from international organizations, academicians from the Academy of Engineering, Nobel laureates, and leaders from the political consultative conferences of 10 provinces including Guangdong, Zhejiang, Shaanxi, Yunnan, Jiangxi, Fujian, Sichuan, Gansu, Hebei, and Henan, alongside diplomats from 20 embassies stationed in China from countries such as South Africa, Israel, Belarus, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Cape Verde, Liberia, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, and Cuba, as well as representatives from over 400 enterprises, participated in the event.
Francis N Keteh, Vice Minister of Health and Chief Medical Officer, Republic of Liberia
Let me begin by extending my profound thanks and appreciation to His Excellency, President Xi Jinping on his Vision and Guiding Principles on Traditional Chinese Medicine. As an integral part of a holistic approach to health for all. I am indeed humble to be asked by the organizing committee to speak at this auspicious occasion. Unfortunately, I cannot attend in person hence, I hope this recording suffice.
I do know that the Vice President of Liberia, Her Excellency Jewel Howard Taylor spoke at the Conference last year through the same medium, therefore, it is my hope to walk in her shadow in speaking to you all, under the theme, Deepening cooperation of belt and road traditional medicine and jointly creating a global community of health for all. From my perspective, this theme is in line with the World Health Organization strive for countries to meet universal health coverage, that is, leaving no one behind.
As a medical doctor, I do understand the use of traditional medicine because it has made a difference in my life since 1999 when my left hand became paralyzed and western medicine which I have studied and practiced couldn’t help me, hence the value of traditional medicine can’t be overemphasized when appropriately administered. As a result of its importance, the Ministry of Health of Liberia has established a Division called complementary medicine in 1989; although striving, the Division primary responsibility is to safeguard traditional medical practice through established regulatory guidelines, including legislated laws, policies, strategy plans and professional code of ethics that would support the sector.
As a need for furtherance of this division in the Liberian health sector as part of the jointly creating a global community of health for all, I wish to proffer the following recommendations: that the government of the People’s Republic of China through this belt and road forum help countries in developing the appropriate laboratory for the analysis of herbal products on various markets. Intensify the appropriate trainings in traditional medical knowledge and continue to strive in making sure traditional medicine continues to be part and parcel in alleviating pains and aches in humankind. Finally, I wish to reiterate my absence from this most important meeting, but due to technology we can be connected and I wish you all well in your deliberation.