Traditional medicine brings RI closer to China

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.

Sidebar story

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.