China experts suggest traditional medicine as part of treatment for Covid-19

By Olivia Miwil - April 29, 2020 @ 6:30pm

Covid-19 medical experts from China have suggested the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat the infection. – AFP pic

KOTA KINABALU: Covid-19 medical experts from China have suggested the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat the infection, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the experts, Aaron said China had combined TCM and western medicine for patients and the outcome revealed a higher recovery rate.

"However, for now, the health ministry is still hopeful for the discovery of a vaccine against Covid-19.

"China has also informed us that they have been carrying out vaccine testing on humans instead of animals," he said when met at the Sabah Administrative Centre here.

Earlier, the delegates together with Kota Kinabalu General Consul of China Liang Caide had paid a courtesy call on Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal here.

The parties discussed the situation in Wuhan during the lockdown and after the restrictions were lifted.

"For now, they say Malaysia is on the right track and the approach is similar to China's.

"The team (Chinese medical experts) will wrap-up its visit and provide suggestions based from their tour (observations) before returning home," Aaron said.

Earlier, Shafie said that Sabah was cleared of red zone districts but would maintain preventive measures while efforts to rejuvenate the economy were ongoing.

"Both the Sipitang Ammonia Urea factory and Sabah Oil and Gas Industrial Terminal will be allowed to resume operations tomorrow provided their workers are screened before they are allowed to work.

"The Sabah government will also work more closely with private sectors to revive the economy, but this will be announced later."

As for students returning to Sabah, Shafie said they would still have to undergo home quarantine if found negative for Covid-19.

Shafie added the Sabah government would also bear travel expenses of students returning from Sarawak.