MANDATE

Republic Act 8423 (R.A. 8423) mandates the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health
Care (PITAHC) “to improve the quality and delivery of health care services to the Filipino people through
the development of traditional and alternative health care and its integration into the national health
care delivery system“.

VISION

“People’s health through traditional and alternative health care”

MISSION

“We lead in the research and development, promotion and advocacy, and development of standards on
traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM); and we ensure its accessibility, availability,
sustainability and integration into the national health care. system.”

Recognition and Integration: The law recognizes the importance of traditional and alternative medicine
in the country's health care system and seeks to integrate these practices into the national health care
delivery system.

Research and Development: RA 8423 mandates the Department of Health (DOH) to conduct research
and development on traditional and alternative medicine practices to ensure their safety, efficacy, and
quality.

Regulation: The law provides for the regulation of traditional and alternative medicine practitioners to
ensure the quality and safety of their services. It establishes a Traditional Medicine Division within the
DOH to oversee the regulation of traditional and alternative medicine practices.

Education and Training: RA 8423 encourages the integration of traditional and alternative medicine into
the curriculum of health-related courses in educational institutions. It also promotes the training of
health care professionals in traditional and alternative medicine modalities.
Promotion and Public Awareness: The law aims to raise public awareness about traditional and
alternative medicine and its potential benefits. It encourages the promotion of these practices through
various means, including media campaigns and educational materials.

In the modern medical field, the recognition and integration of traditional and alternative healthcare
practices, as emphasized by Republic Act No. 8423 and similar initiatives, have several implications:

Complementary Treatment Options: Integrating traditional and alternative medicine into modern
medical practice provides patients with a broader range of treatment options. This allows for a more
personalized approach to healthcare, where patients can choose treatments that align with their beliefs,
preferences, and cultural backgrounds.

Holistic Patient Care: Traditional and alternative medicine often take a holistic approach to health,
considering not only physical symptoms but also mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of well-being.
Incorporating these approaches into modern medical practice can enhance patient-centered care and
promote overall wellness.

Enhanced Cultural Competence: Recognizing and incorporating traditional and alternative healthcare
practices into modern medicine require healthcare professionals to become more culturally competent.
This involves understanding and respecting the cultural beliefs, practices, and healthcare preferences of
diverse patient populations.

Collaborative Healthcare Teams: Integrating traditional and alternative medicine into modern healthcare
systems often involves collaboration among different healthcare professionals, including physicians,
nurses, traditional healers, and alternative medicine practitioners. This interdisciplinary approach fosters
teamwork, knowledge sharing, and mutual respect among healthcare providers.

Research and Evidence-Based Practice: Incorporating traditional and alternative medicine into modern
healthcare requires rigorous research to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and mechanisms of action of these
practices. Conducting scientific studies and clinical trials helps build an evidence base for integrating
traditional and alternative therapies into mainstream medical practice.

Regulation and Quality Assurance: Ensuring the safety and quality of traditional and alternative
healthcare practices require appropriate regulation and oversight. Modern medical frameworks need to
establish standards, guidelines, and regulations for traditional and alternative medicine practitioners,
products, and treatments to protect public health and safety.

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: Traditional and alternative medicine often emphasize
preventive and promotive health measures, which can complement modern medical interventions
focused on treating diseases. Integrating these approaches into modern healthcare systems supports
efforts to promote wellness, prevent illness, and reduce healthcare disparities.

Overall, the implication of recognizing and integrating traditional and alternative healthcare practices
into modern medicine is the promotion of a more inclusive, patient-centered, and holistic approach to
healthcare that addresses the diverse needs and preferences of individuals and communities.