Traditional medicine brings RI closer to China

Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta

While the relations between people are complex, and they may be separated by their political opinions or sympathies, good health and fitness are common goals that could help nations build peace and genuine ties.

The presence of Beijing-based Tongrentang clinic and drugstore on Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto in the upmarket area of Menteng, Central Jakarta, was recently cited as one way in which Indonesia and China were building a stronger relationship.

"Besides sports, health interests and traditional medicine have contributed to a faithful and perpetual peace and better ties between the two countries and their people," President Megawati Soekarnoputri's husband Taufik Kiemas said in his speech marking the opening of the clinic.

Chinese traditional medicines have long been recognized as an alternative to conventional Western drugs.

The two countries froze their diplomatic ties in 1967, following an abortive coup blamed on the Indonesian Communist Party, which was affiliated with China. Communist cleansing here followed the arrest of those behind the coup attempt.

The ties were restored in 1990.

Taufik noted, however, that apart from the up-and-down diplomatic relationship between the two countries, their people had a long history of cooperation in the health field.

He recalled founding president Sukarno's efforts in 1963 to obtain Chinese traditional medicine and herbal drinks to treat his illness.

"In the past, the sultans of Sriwijaya and Majapahit reportedly sent their diplomats to China, and many Chinese traders came to Indonesia to offer traditional drugs. In the modern era, many Indonesians have visited China in search of healing and health care," he said.

Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Lu Shumin said the presence of the Chinese clinic in Indonesia would unite the two countries' people.

He said many Chinese drug companies and universities were interested in enhancing cooperation with the Indonesian government, pharmaceutical companies and scientists to develop their research of traditional medicines.

"Indonesia is rich in natural resources -- tropical forests and marine life -- that could be taken as raw materials for traditional medicines," the ambassador said.

Drug and Food Supervisory Body chairman Sampoerno said a number of Indonesian students were studying traditional medicine and treatment at two prominent universities in China as part of a bilateral cooperation.

"Chinese authorities have allowed four types of Indonesian traditional medicines and herbal products to enter China's domestic market, and we are still negotiating the export of several other traditional medicines to China," Sampoerno said.

He acknowledged that many Indonesian people had turned to traditional medicines and treatment because of their relatively cheap price. Demand for traditional Chinese drugs has been on the rise following the economic crisis that hit Indonesia in 1997, he added.

Business tycoon The Nin King hailed the clinic and its drugstore for using "no knives nor chemotherapy" but traditional drugs to heal patients who had diseases such as cancer, or bone fractures.

Following its opening, hundreds of people were seen queuing for a consultation or to shop at the drugstore. Both Chinese and local employees are employed there.

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Chinese medicines and healers in town

The Tongrentang clinic and drugstore in Jakarta was jointly established by PT Beijing Tongrentang Indo representing the People's Republic of China and its local partner, PT Saras Subur Ayu, which is owned by businessman Petrus Lukito.

Tongrentang was founded in 1669 as a family business. It was later taken over by the Chinese government and, now, besides its status as the oldest dispensary in China, the company is the biggest traditional medicine producer in the world's most populous country.

Its Jakarta representative clinic employs three Chinese medical experts, who provide health consultations in acupuncture, internist and tuina (massage). In compliance with the labor law, the three health consultants are assisted by three young local physicians, who are expected to fill their shoes in the future.

The dispensary stores more than 500 kinds of traditional Chinese medicines, including herbal drinks, pills and capsules, and employs dozens of paramedics and pharmacists.

The clinic's general manager, Liem Siam Tie, said the clinic was the fourth in Southeast Asia, after other clinics established in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Branches in Medan, Surabaya and Makassar will open soon to meet the increasing demand for Chinese traditional medicines.

The clinic opens every day from 9 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.