Chinese medical experts in PH studying traditional medicine for COVID-19 treatment

MANILA, Philippines — The team of Chinese medical experts that recently arrived in the country is studying how traditional Chinese medicine could be used as treatment against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Three of the 12-member team reportedly specialize in traditional Chinese medicine while some specialize in critical care medicine.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Tuesday said that the Chinese medical team is expected to give their expert advice and suggestions on how the Philippines should fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Kagaya ng ibang complementary medicine, tinitingnan ng ating mga eksperto kung ano ang maaaring maging gamit ng traditional Chinese medicine laban sa COVID-19,” Duque said in a virtual press briefing.

(Like other complementary medicine, the experts will study how traditional Chinese medicine could be used against COVID-19.)

“Malaking tulong naman ang kanilang expertise sa critical medicine upang matugunan ang ating pangangailangan ng ating severe and critical cases,” Duque added.

(Their expertise in critical care medicine will also help us in addressing the needs of our severe and critical COVID-19 cases.)

The DOH earlier said that the Chinese experts will be going around health care facilities in the country that caters COVID-19 patients such as referral hospitals and community quarantine facilities.

They will only observe the country’s facilities and provide technical assistance to our health service force, based on their experience in China, where the COVID-19 originated.

The Chinese medical experts will not practice medicine or treat COVID-19 patients in the country but would only give their “expert advice” from their Wuhan lockdown experience and clinical management of patients.

Edited by JPV