Hanoi (VNA) – Preserving valuable traditional medicineis a vital task of the health sector, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said ata ceremony to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Traditional MedicineManagement Department under the Health Ministry (1957-2017) in Hanoi on June 6.

The Deputy PM said the nation’s traditional medicine heritage has been passed downthrough generations, which should be used in combination with modern medicine.

On June 7, 1957, the Oriental MedicineDepartment, now the Traditional Medicine Management Department, was establishedunder the Health Ministry. Since then, the traditional medicine sector hasdeveloped into a network of 64 public specialized hospitals and three privateones.

In addition, about 92.7 percent of generalhospitals have a traditional medicine department or sub-department, and nearly85 percent of communal medical stations provide treatment using bothtraditional and modern methods, according to Pham Vu Khanh, Director of thedepartment.

Human resources training for the field hasreceived attention, with a specialised training institute, and departments in manymedical training establishments..

On the occasion, Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam presentedthe Government’s certificates of merit to outstanding collectives andindividuals in the field.

According to the Ministry of Health, 1,300 medicinal plantspecies have been found inVietnam, and herbal medicine is manufactured under the World Health Organisation’s goodmanufacturing practices.-VNA