In Digos, alternative medicine practitioners honor Flavier

DIGOS CITY—At least 100 alternative medicine practitioners and supporters converged here Saturday to honor former Senator and Health Secretary Juan Flavier, considered the father of traditional and alternative medicine.

Wearing stickers on their sleeves, where Flavier’s photo was printed alongside words of appreciation for his contribution to alternative medicine, the group paused in silence.

Former health secretary and senator Juan M. Flavier. FILE PHOTO

It was Flavier who authored the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act of 1997, which gave herbal and alternative medicine practice in the country a legal face.

Edgar Delibo, chair and chief executive officer of the Dok Alternatibo Research and Development Foundation Inc. (Dardfi) based here, said the group can’t thank Flavier enough for his help in advancing the practice of alternative medicine and healing.

Flavier, Delibo said, “paved the way for the realization, reawakening, reprogramming and eventual practice of traditional and alternative health care in this country.”

Delibo said Flavier helped develop “a revolutionary consciousness among Filipinos about health.”

Delibo told Inquirer that the gathering of alternative medicine practitioners may not be sufficient to thank Flavier and bring honor to “the greatness of a simple man.”

During the event, Dardfi and the Manila-based Philippine Institute of Naturopathic Sciences signed an agreement that would allow Dardfi to offer government-accredited courses on traditional medicine and natural health care.

Under the law authored by Flavier, the practice of traditional health care and alternative medicine is encouraged and scientific research is promoted. Eldie Aguirre, Inquirer Mindanao