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JVSR Editor Discusses Global Guidelines with WHO
The World Chiropractic Alliance met in Geneva with officials of the
World Health Organization (WHO) to discuss the development of several
documents that will address international guidelines for chiropractic.
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Dr. Matthew McCoy in Geneva |
Matthew McCoy, D.C., a member of the WCA International Board of
Governors, Chairman of the WCA Council on Chiropractic Clinical Sciences
and Editor of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, discussed the
issue with key WHO officials during the 55th World Health Assembly in
June.
The WCA's invitation to the meeting came from Dr. Xiaorui Zhang, WHO team
coordinator for Traditional Medicine. Dr. Zhang has met with WCA
representatives in the past and recently oversaw the development of a
document on Basic Training and Safety in Acupuncture that was published by
the WHO in 1999.
The meeting on chiropractic guidelines came as a result of the release of
WHO's "Traditional Medicine Strategy 2002-2005," a document unveiled
during a "Technical Briefing on Traditional Medicine" held during the
World Health Assembly.
In the document, WHO attempts to define its role in Traditional Medicine
(TM), and complimentary and alternative medicine -- and develop a strategy
to address issues of policy, safety, efficacy, quality, access and
rational use of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine.
According to WHO, the strategy was developed through broad consultation
with WHO Regional Offices and Member States, WHO Expert Committees and
Collaborating Centres for Traditional Medicine, as well as through work
with a broad range of partners with diverse interests in traditional
medicine.
The strategy provides a diverse framework for action for WHO and its
partners to enable traditional medicine to play a far greater role in
reducing excess mortality and morbidity, especially among impoverished
populations.
Dr. McCoy met with Yukiko Maruyama the technical officer for Traditional
Medicine and Essential Drugs and Medicines Policy of WHO. They discussed
WHO's TM Strategy and the steps and help necessary for WHO to develop
guidelines for chiropractic.
These guidelines would be used to assist nations of the world in
developing policies for the introduction of chiropractic into their health
care systems.
"This is actually part of WHO's Strategy," McCoy explained. "They
obviously realize the value of Traditional Medicine in health promotion
and they have placed chiropractic under the umbrella of Traditional
Medicine along with other health care such as acupuncture, ayurvedic
medicine, Chinese medicine etc."
According to WHO, "populations throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America
use Traditional Medicine to help meet their primary health care needs. As
well as being accessible and affordable, TM is also often part of a wider
belief system, and considered integral to everyday life and well-being.
Meanwhile, in Australia, Europe and North America, 'complementary and
alternative medicine' (CAM) is increasingly used in parallel to allopathic
medicine, particularly for treating and managing chronic disease. Concern
about the adverse effects of chemical medicines, a desire for more
personalized health care and greater public access to health information,
fuel this increased use."
As of 2000, 25 countries reported having a national TM policy. Such a
policy provides a sound basis for defining the role of TM in national
health care delivery, ensuring that the necessary regulatory and legal
mechanisms are created for promoting and maintaining good practice, that
access is equitable and that the authenticity, safety and efficacy of
therapies are assured.
"If ever chiropractic needed a research base, it's right now. This is one
of those defining moments when everything that's ever been done -- or
hasn't been done for that matter -- catches up with you," reflected McCoy,
who serves as editor of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research and
chairman of the Guidelines Committee of the Council on Chiropractic
Practice.
Commenting on the WCA's collaboration with WHO, Christopher Kent, D.C.,
the organization's main liaison to the United Nations Department of Public
Information, stated, "According to WHO, the common basis of Traditional
Medicine is 'an holistic approach to life, equilibrium between the mind,
body and their environment, and an emphasis on health rather than on
disease. Generally, the provider focuses on the overall condition of the
individual patient, rather than on the particular ailment or the disease
from which the patient is suffering. This more complex approach to health
care makes TM very attractive to many. But it also makes scientific
evaluation highly difficult since so many factors must be taken into
account.'"
Dr. Kent also noted that WHO's perspective is consistent with traditional
chiropractic philosophy, principles and practice. "We are excited to work
closely with them to assist in the development of their guidelines," he
said.
Originally, the meeting was to have been held with the World Federation of
Chiropractic (WFC) and Dr. Zhang had expressed her pleasure at the
possibility of the two organizations working together with WHO on the
guidelines.
However, the WFC requested a separate meeting rather than participate in a
joint discussion with the WCA. Afterwards, David Chapman-Smith,
Secretary-General of the WFC acknowledged that "there were sound reasons
for separate meetings, that this was in accordance with protocol agreed by
relevant WHO officials." He also stated that "no attempt was made by the
WFC to prevent meetings between representatives of WHO and the Alliance."
Although he did not explain why his group changed the meeting arrangements
without warning, he noted that "the WFC well understands what best serves
the interests of the chiropractic profession in its communications with
the World Health Organization, a matter on which the WFC has many years of
experience and success."
McCoy expressed disappointment about the change in plans.
"I had looked forward to a productive and cooperative discussion with the
WFC delegates, one that could have resulted in a great deal of progress on
these important issues," he stated. "At a time when chiropractic
organizations are trying hard to put aside their differences for the good
of the profession, the WCA looked forward to what could have been a
powerful statement of chiropractic unity. Perhaps in the future, the WFC
would be willing to join us in our work with the WHO on these issues."
Terry A. Rondberg, D.C., president of the World Chiropractic Alliance,
echoed McCoy's sentiments.
"The WCA is eager to make chiropractic an integral part of the global
health care vision and we have no objection to working with the WFC or any
other legitimate chiropractic organization to make that dream a reality."
The WCA has a long history of cooperation with the United Nations and WHO
and in 1998 was granted status as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)
associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information.
The WCA made the first-ever chiropractic presentations at the
International Conference of NGOs in Seoul, Korea; met with the director of
External Cooperation and Relations; gave presentations on licensing and
the legal status of chiropractic worldwide; and held a session on
chiropractic and women's health at the annual Assembly of the Commission
on the Status of Women.
"Building on our past accomplishments, we are now more dedicated than ever
to the goal of working with WHO for the betterment of health everywhere
and we look forward to finding ways we can help advance WHO's vision of
worldwide wellness," Dr. Rondberg stated.
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