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Tag: Eastern

  • What to know about western vs. Eastern medicine

    What to know about western vs. Eastern medicine

    Western and Japanese drugs refers to two various methods of medicine. Western medication prescribes precise medications for a disease. In distinction, Jap drugs focuses on dealing with the person as a complete relatively than just their symptoms.

    Two medical professionals mixing herbsShare on Pinterest
    Although Western medication prescribes distinct prescription drugs for ailments, Jap drugs, such as Chinese herbal drugs (pictured), focuses on managing the person as a full relatively than just their signs. VCG/VCG by means of Getty Image

    The apply of drugs has developed about time, and many people refer to these two distinct techniques as Jap and Western drugs.

    Eastern drugs approaches diagnosing, dealing with, and stopping condition in a holistic manner. This includes several variables that embrace the thoughts, physique, and spirit. The exercise incorporates a department of treatment method this sort of as acupuncture and tai chi.

    Western medicine works by using a systemic method, utilizing signs and symptoms and independent organ programs to figure out therapies.

    This posting will investigate the essential dissimilarities in between Western and Eastern medicine, no matter if it is doable to make the most of them in tandem, and their rewards to folks.

    Western medication sorts the foundation of most modern-day health care systems in the earth.

    It refers to how clinical experts, this kind of as physicians and nurses, handle ailments applying healthcare therapies, this sort of as medicines, radiation, and surgical procedures. As a result, some folks may perhaps refer to Western medicine as mainstream or traditional medicine.

    Having said that, Japanese medicine refers to medicine and therapies that are not section of typical health care care. It is one particular of the oldest programs of medication in the world and originates from Asia.

    Some people today may possibly refer to Japanese medication as complementary, alternate, or pure. Jap medication encompasses each common Chinese medicine and Ayurveda strategies, which are holistic systems of medicine that have existed for far for a longer time than typical Western medication.

    Important branches of traditional Chinese medication include things like:

    Western medication has essential foundations that type the foundation of treatment. These consist of:

    • physically inspecting the body and the affiliated symptoms
    • diagnosing ailments and situations utilizing scientific proof
    • applying treatment plans that are clinically tested to be effective

    In distinction, Eastern medicine treatment options are also extra holistic, with the purpose of restoring equilibrium by way of alternative treatments these types of as acupuncture. Nevertheless, the important distinction with Jap medicine is that it aims to treat the full person. As a result, some may possibly explain this observe as more customized to a problem.

    Eastern medicine practitioners diagnose diseases by analyzing the full human body with a concentration on imbalances in the particular person, when Western medication helps make diagnoses according to a person’s signs and symptoms.

    Eastern medication has a sizeable emphasis on prevention, and although Western medicine does have a preventive element involving diet plan and workout, it frequently focuses on working with medicines.

    While Western and Eastern medicine may perhaps have slightly distinctive concepts, a 2019 post notes that the two methods are comparable, as they each aim to readjust the harmony of electricity within just the body.

    Additionally, typical treatment plans are beginning to include specified features of Japanese medication.

    For case in point, some Western drugs methods address the whole particular person somewhat than a symptom of a disease. It also employs tactics, this sort of as meditation, as component of treatment for psychological health and fitness.

    How do they complement each other?

    Quite a few believe that Eastern medication can also complement Western health care tactics.

    A 2020 systematic evaluation observed that acupuncture could efficiently address nonspecific decreased again pain. Acupuncture is a sort of common Chinese medicine exactly where acupuncturists insert slim needles in distinct places to encourage them. In addition, the critique also observed that combining acupuncture with clinical treatment method was more productive than a stand-by itself medical method.

    Likewise, investigation has explored the effectiveness of tuina in dealing with problems. Tuina is a manual remedy that is equivalent to therapeutic massage and aims to promote the move of electrical power inside the body to promote harmony.

    A 2020 systematic overview discovered that combining tuina with program healthcare procedure properly improved signs or symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. The outcomes of the combined treatment method protocol were additional successful than regime clinical procedure on its very own.

    The performance of tuina in treating disorders is continue to an location of good interest.

    At the moment, there are trials having put and protocols to determine the efficiency of tuina in the treatment method for:

    Exploration into classic Chinese medicine (TCM) in most cancers remedy has also proven that selected TCMs can give therapeutic outcomes when section of complementary treatment and fashionable cancer treatment method approach.

    A 2019 overview notes that certain Chinese organic medications also exhibit anticancer homes and have less aspect consequences than radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

    A man or woman should constantly discuss with their most important treatment physician initial, regardless of whether or not they are contemplating Western or Japanese medicine.

    For case in point, specific conditions, this kind of as cancer, may possibly call for a lot more intense cure, like chemotherapy, and Japanese methods by yourself could not be enough to deal with the sickness.

    Additionally, certain supplements might interact with prescription medications, leading to undesired side consequences. Thus, a human being should really usually talk to their health care provider 1st to make certain that any treatment method less than thing to consider is safe.

    Although there are positive aspects to Japanese medicine and combining it with Western drugs, a person should really training caution when trying to get treatment method.

    For illustration, some Eastern medicine therapies use nutritional supplements or herbs that do not often have acceptance from the Food and Drug Administration (Food and drug administration).

    Even so, certain manufacturers continue on to test these solutions. Consumers and medical practitioners can validate the security and facet results of herbs in accordance to U.S. Pharmacopeia and NSF International.

    In the same way, some of these products do not demand a prescription. With this in mind, folks should communicate with their physician before utilizing these remedies to aid make certain their safety.

    Moreover, numerous Eastern medicine procedures do not bear regulation, and there is limited proof from clinical trials relating to their effectiveness. Therefore, more study is nonetheless important to establish the usefulness of Jap drugs as a stand-alone therapy.

    Western medication refers to a system in which healthcare pros make the most of medical remedies to handle indications of diseases. Eastern medicine refers to nonconventional remedies that emphasis on the individual rather than just the signs and symptoms. The latter practice also addresses conventional Chinese methods such as acupuncture, tai chi, qigong, and tuina.

    Eastern medication may be advantageous in treating circumstances in blend with Western drugs. For illustration, acupuncture can enable handle back again ache in tandem with plan clinical therapy. In the same way, tuina can be helpful in managing irritable bowel syndrome in combination with Western medicine.

    Nonetheless, a person should generally check with their doctor right before looking at any procedure selection.

  • South Africa: Eastern Cape Health Services Hamstrung By Staff and Medicine Shortages, Report Finds

    South Africa: Eastern Cape Health Services Hamstrung By Staff and Medicine Shortages, Report Finds

    Findings of a clinic monitoring report released last week, again highlighted how delivery of health services in the Eastern Cape are hamstrung by staff and medicine shortages.

    The COVID-19 pandemic compounded these challenges.

    This, the report says, also has far-reaching consequences for the province’s HIV and tuberculosis (TB) programmes.

    The report is based on community monitoring conducted at 45 healthcare facilities across the Eastern Cape between April and June, with some additional monitoring in August and September. It is the latest in a series of such provincial monitoring reports published by Ritshidze, a community-led health service monitoring initiative. Spotlight previously reported on Ritshidze reports from the Free State, Limpopo, and the Northwest.

    Not enough staff

    The report found 133 vacancies in 28 clinics. According to facility managers interviewed as part of the monitoring, the most commonly understaffed categories were professional nurses, enrolled nurses, cleaners, doctors, enrolled nurse assistants, and assistant pharmacists.

    Among the worst-performing clinics where patients and facility managers indicated there were not enough staff include Qumbu Community Health Centre, Mqanduli Clinic and Butterworth Gateway Clinic.

    The report also notes a shortage of community health workers (CHWs) in some facilities and recorded challenges for CHWs to perform their duties. About 77{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of the facility managers interviewed cited lack of transport for CHWs as a major problem. “Of the facility managers reporting that transport was available, just five said that the transport was reliable,” the report states.

    Since CHWs primarily work in communities outside the facilities, the report notes that “these findings reveal an important barrier to the efficacy of the CHW programme in the province”. Other challenges flagged were safety concerns for CHWs working in communities, not enough phones and that patients give wrong numbers. The CHWs are crucial in tracing people living with HIV and TB who have interrupted treatment.

    A need for male nurses and councillors

    The report also flagged a shortage of male nurses and counsellors at many facilities and that male-specific health services were limited – factors thought to contribute to men being less likely to seek healthcare services.

    The Ritshidze data found that only 61{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of the monitored facilities reported having male nurses, counsellors, or healthcare workers at the facility. “Of that 61{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}, only 27{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of facilities said they had male outreach services and 9{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of facilities said they had no male-specific services at all,” the report states.

    One healthcare user, Nkosekhaya Gidi from Motherwell, tells Spotlight, “As men, we have that problem of thinking that clinics are meant for women. Men by nature are not willing to share their medical issues with women because when growing up [they’re made to believe] men are always strong. There is no need to see a doctor or a nurse even when one has pain [because] that pain will improve on its own.”

    Gidi says having male nurses will definitely help.

    A community healthcare worker at Motherwell Clinic suggested that people must forget about the older generation of men and shift the focus to the young people to educate them about the importance of visiting clinics.

    “The first thing is to visit boys at primary schools to change their mindset and encourage them to share and open up about their feelings. We all need to address the stigma associated with men visiting clinics, not to mention the pressure of a man that they are always strong. The department needs to strengthen campaigns towards men and must visit their workplaces to talk about these health issues,” the community health worker said.

    At Motherwell, the CHW says they have one male nurse and one male CHW serving the area.

    Mkhululi Ndamase, spokesperson for Eastern Cape Health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth, tells Spotlight there are “mechanisms [already in place] to respond to many of the issues highlighted in the Ritshidze report. This, he says, includes programmes where the department is taking health services directly to where people live, work, and spend recreational time.

    “This is to encourage men to look after their health.”

    Big asks but little money

    According to Ndiphiwe Bekwaphi, a Ritshidze District Organiser from the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), these factors along with medicine stockouts “directly contribute to people living with HIV starting and staying on treatment, and can be linked to the province only attaining 72{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of people living with HIV who know their status on treatment”.

    The report argued that “ensuring access to quality healthcare services and ensuring everyone living with HIV and TB gets access to medicines and care, depend mainly on having enough qualified and committed staff” so, “ensuring that 80{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of vacancies at facilities are filled by March 2022, must be a priority in this province”.

    But in July this year, the now-suspended spokesperson for health in the Eastern Cape Sizwe Kupelo cited budget constraints preventing the department from appointing the much-needed staff. Kupelo then said a recruitment process was at “an advanced stage for [appointing] 86 frontline workers”. “These are professional nurses, enrolment nurses, and assistant nurses. They will be placed on a needs basis with clinics and hospitals in desperate need of more workers,” he said.

    The superintendent for health in the province, Dr Rolene Wagner this week in an interview with ENCA again cited budget constraints that are now also affecting paying for the basics in goods and services needed at health facilities.

    Spotlight asked the department about its plans to address staffing challenges in primary healthcare facilities but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

    Medicine shortages

    The report also found that in many facilities, patients arrive early in the morning and many would spend the entire day waiting, but are often forced to go home empty-handed. According to the report, this is a consistent and significant cause of dissatisfaction among healthcare users at these facilities.

    “Ritshidze monitoring reveals ongoing complaints regarding stockouts and shortages of medicines, and medical tools at sites across the Eastern Cape,” the report notes. Across the facilities monitored, data shows “9{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of people left, or knew someone who left a clinic without the medication that they needed”. “Stockouts and shortages of ARVs, TB medicines, contraceptives, and other medicines,” the report states, “cause disruption, confusion, cost, and can detrimentally affect treatment adherence.”

    The most commonly reported medicine shortages cited by patients included contraceptives, HIV medicines, and pregnancy tests. Facility managers interviewed also noted the most common stockouts were of contraceptives and HIV medicines. Almost two-thirds said in case of stockouts they provided patients with alternative medicine, 9{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of them were forced to send people away empty-handed, and 24{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} gave patients a shorter supply.

    Among the worst medicine stockout challenges were flagged in OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo Districts. Clinics monitored in these two districts with low scores for medicine stock include the Matatiel, Qumbu, Ngangelizwe, and Maluti Community Health Centres. In July, the Daily Dispatch reported that the province was running out of medicine supplies due to the non-payment of suppliers. It was reported that Sanofi, a pharmaceutical company that supplies the Eastern Cape with essential medicines, including TB, epilepsy, anti-psychosis, and diabetes medication, suspended its supply to the province in March due to non-payment.

    But according to Ndamase, the department remains committed to ensuring that there’s enough stock of essential medicines for HIV, TB, and other medications. “Government has prioritised the budget for medicines because it is one of the ‘non-negotiable’ budget lines. This means the budget for medicines has been ring-fenced and cannot be used for other services.”

    Ndamase says in the 2019/20 financial year, the budget for ARVs and drug-susceptible TB was R936 700 000, in 2020/21 it dropped to R907 323 000, and in this financial year the department allocated R1 278 700 000 for ARVs and TB medicine.

    “When supply shortages do arise, they were caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that caused disruptions of global supply chain systems, with local manufacturers struggling to source raw materials from international markets. This was out of our control,” said Ndamase.

    Impact on HIV

    The report highlights the risk of having people living with HIV spend an extended time at a clinic simply to collect ARV refills. This, it states, increases the risk of people disengaging from care.

    At Motherwell Community Health Centre, it is reported that patients spent on average seven hours, including waiting for it to open, only to be seen for a very short consultation.

    A community healthcare worker (CHW) at Motherwell Community Healthcare Centre agrees that the facility often experiences very long waiting times.

    Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the CHW says, “The issue of long queues is caused by an increase in population and is worsened by some people who prefer this facility while leaving their clinics where the situation is worse. The clinic is too small to serve the growing number of patients. The department needs to take into consideration that Motherwell is fast-growing,” says the CHW.

    “The waiting time and patient flow can be managed if the department could strengthen its chronic disease management plans. This involves empowering individuals to take responsibility for managing their own conditions and increasing awareness of chronic diseases. There should be a strengthening of support systems and structures outside the health facility process to ensure a fully functional and responsive healthcare system.

    “Health education and health promotion at the household level will reduce the need for clinic visits and lessen pressure on clinics. If the department could convert these vaccination campaigns into chronic disease campaigns, we will see fewer people visiting clinics.”

    Multi-month dispensing

    The report found that although “61{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of people living with HIV reported receiving two month ART refills, only 15{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} reported three month ART refills, which is low as the country aims to move towards longer multi-month dispensing”. Further, “21{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of people living with HIV still reported refills of one month — which is very problematic considering that South Africa’s national policy standard is for two months,” the report states. “It is also worrying during the period of COVID-19 when refills should be longer to ensure people living with HIV can make fewer trips to the clinic.”

    The report notes that all the facilities monitored reported having internal pickup points available and 91{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} had external pickup points for people living with HIV.