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International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

Open Access Journal

ISSN: 2222-6990

An Analysis of The Rights to Health and The Traditional & Complementary Medicine (TCM) Healthcare Services in Malaysia

Norazlina Abdul Aziz, Nurrulhuda Ahmad, Izuan Izzaidi Azmi, Che Natheera Abd Aziz

http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v13-i4/16705

Open access

The right to health is a fundamental human right that is recognised globally. Traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) is an important aspect of healthcare and is recognised as an essential part of primary healthcare in many countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed guidelines on the integration of TCM into healthcare systems, and several countries have developed policies and regulatory frameworks for TCM. However, the integration of TCM into healthcare systems has raised concerns about patient safety, efficacy, and quality. Government should ensure that TCM is available, accessible, and of good quality. This requires the development of policies and regulatory frameworks that ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of TCM products and practitioners. With the expensive medical cost of modern medicine, alternative healthcare services of TCM provide a solution for the less fortunate group in society. Currently, the Malaysia's TCM healthcare services are in good progress in developing a well-structured legal framework for TCM. Issues such as monitoring the service providers, accreditation of the practitioner, conflict of legislative jurisdiction, and the nature of a multicultural country become a burgeoning barrier in formulating an adequate legal framework. This study examined these significant issues to suggest appropriate legal reforms in upholding the rights to Health related to TCM healthcare services in Malaysia. The study adopts qualitative research of an in-depth analysis of the local and international sources and semi-structured interviews. The data were descriptive analysis of legal norms based on primary sources. Data acquired from both works were then analysed using specific gleaning themes and coding to supplement the analytical discourse. The findings of the research may assist the policymakers and stakeholders in proposing for enhancement of the legal framework governing TCM services in Malaysia.

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In-Text Citation: (Aziz et al., 2023)
To Cite this Article: Aziz, N. A., Ahmad, N., Azmi, I. I., & Aziz, C. N. A. (2023). An Analysis of The Rights to Health and The Traditional & Complementary Medicine (TCM) Healthcare Services in Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(4), 1375 – 1391.