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The Department of Health today (December 30) issued guidelines to all Chinese medicine practitioners (CMP) to guide them on diagnosis and treatment of influenza based on Chinese medicine theories, as well as on patient referral.
A department spokesman said the guideline, entitled "Treatment and Prevention of Influenza ¡ª Guideline for Chinese Medicine Practitioners", featured the differentiation of syndromes of influenza, treatment principles and examples of herbal formulation, as well as management of serious conditions.
The guideline was a professional guidance targeted at CMPs, and people should consult CMPs before using Chinese medicines, the spokesman said.
"The department has been working closely with the Chinese medicine profession, including providing CMPs with the latest information on influenza and relevant guidelines, in order to enhance their participation in government's preventive measures against influenza.
"In April this year the department invited local Chinese medicine experts to draw up a reference document entitled "Common methods of prevention and treatment of influenza with Chinese medicine".
"Based on experience in the use of Chinese medicine in against influenza and taking the latest developments in influenza into account, the department, in conjunction with the Hospital Authority, local universities and Chinese medicine groups, set up a working group this month to develop the reference document into the influenza treatment and prevention guideline," the spokesman said.
The department has been keeping the Chinese medicine profession informed of the relevant preventive measures taken by the Government against influenza.
The department issued letters to CMPs to introduce the "Framework of Government's Preparedness Plan for Influenza pandemic" in January and organised two open forums on the relevant subject to CMPs in July.
It also issued letters to CMPs in September on advice on influenza vaccination for 2005/06, followed by the release in November "Guidelines on Infection Control Practice in Chinese Medicine Clinics during Influenza pandemic ¡ª Important Steps".
The "Treatment and Prevention of Influenza ¡ª Guideline for Chinese Medicine Practitioners" will be distributed to all CMPs by mail and uploaded to the department website (http://www.dh.gov.hk) and the website of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (http://www.cmchk.org.hk).
Ends/Friday, December 30, 2005
Issued at HKT 11:26
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