1. INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND
In 1999, the PAHO-WHO Working Group on Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines and Therapies was carried out. It was a joint activity between the PAHO's Division of Health Systems and Services Development and the WHO's Traditional Medicine Team, Department of Essential Drugs and Medicine Policies.
The participants to this Working Group recommended promoting activities that support the better knowledge of the traditional, complementary and alternative medicines and therapies to identify strategies to contribute to the organization and delivery of comprehensive and culturally appropriate health systems and services in the Americas. The participants also recommended to strengthen the collaboration between WHO-HQ and PAHO and to enhance coordination between PAHO and the WHO Collaborating Centers in traditional medicine, especially those in the Region of the Americas i.e. The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), The National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine of the National Institutes of Health (NCCAM-NIH)
The topic of indigenous medicine of the Americas, as a cultural expression of the peoples, deserved special consideration in recognition to its contributions to the health of the population. Since 1993, PAHO's work on indigenous medicine has been carried out under the framework of the Health of the Indigenous Peoples Initiative.
The Health of the Indigenous Peoples Initiative, signifies a commitment by PAHO and Member States to work with indigenous peoples to improve their health and well being.
In 1993, in the I Hemispheric Workshop on Indigenous Peoples and Health, Winnipeg Canada, the principles that direct PAHO and PAHO's Member States work with indigenous peoples were established. These principles are: the need for a holistic approach to health; the right to self-determination of indigenous peoples; the right to systematic participation; respect for and revitalization of indigenous cultures; and reciprocity in relations.
In 1993, the principles of the Initiative were ratified through Resolution CD37.R5. Among other points, PAHO's Member States express their commitment to promote the transformation of health systems and support the development of alternative models of care, including traditional medicine and research into quality and safety.
In 1997, Resolution CD37.R5 was ratified through Resolution CD40.R6. This Resolution calls to the attention of Member States that renewal of the goal of health for all requires that sustainable solutions are found to address the economic, geographic, and cultural barriers to adequate care for vulnerable groups, including indigenous peoples.
For the purposes of discussion, resolution and/or implementation of the above issues, the present Workshop was conducted according to the below indicated format and agenda.
|
