MALAY MEDICINE COMPLEMENTS MODERN MEDICINE

NIBONG TEBAL, 3 August 2016 – The knowledge of Malay medicine may not be known around the world but it complements the medical field in Malaysia.

According to the manager of the Integrative Medicine Clinic, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Dr. Wan Adnan Wan Omar stated that Malay medicine is a form of treatment for certain types of illnesses. 

“We hope to increase the knowledge of Malay medicine with a different approach compared to the typical SOP, for example it can be conducted in our clinic,” he said during the My Body is Fit and Fabulous (MYBFF) program organized by the Health Unit, Engineering Campus here today.

Dr. Wan Adnan added that his group’s focus on Malay medicine includes experimenting with herbs in a clinical setting. “AMDI focuses on research that can eventually be commercialized and help the community,” he continued.

The clinic alleviates chronic diseases such as frozen shoulder, back pain, arthritis and stroke. The clinic is open during office hours and also offers cupping and postnatal massage with a minimum cost.
Summarizing the public’s views on Malay medicine, Wan Adnan explained that we are trailing a little in comparison to Chinese and Indian medicine, which is world-renowned.

“Malay medicine can actually be categorized as a field in medicine with its own jobs,” he explains. He stresses and encourages researchers and Malay medicine practitioners to document their knowledge related to Malay medicine.

The Medical Officer of the Health Unit, Engineering Campus, Dr. Menal A. Hamdi said that they are always concerned about the health of everyone on campus. “This program is conducted to increase awareness of health amongst everyone here and so their well-being is taken care of,” he stated during the opening speech.

According to Dr. Menal, the MYBFF program is a healthy lifestyle intervention to overcome obesity problems within the campus, so everyone is in good shape and their work quality can improve.

The program kicked off with a Malay exercise, “Old Exercise”, led by assistant medical office, Mohd Wazir Abu Bakar, and was well supported by the participants.

There was also a talk on healthy eating by Dietician Officer, Yusfizahani Md Yusuff followed by a sample of healthy food by the Health Unit staff.

Text: Mohd Kamil Ashar / Photo: Faisal Mohamad / Translator: Kumitaa  A/P  Theva Das