THE National Security Council (NSC) must revise the standard operating procedures (SOP) to allow traditional and complementary medicine clinics (TCM) to operate during the current lockdown, said Perak assemblyman Howard Lee.

“TCM services is an essential component of health services, where many of the patients suffer from chronic pains, stroke and kidney ailments,” said the Pasir Pinji assemblyman in a statement today.

“Many of them seek TCM services for pain management and relief, and these treatments are ongoing,” he said.

According to Lee, stopping services during this lockdown is unfair to patients and the 15,000 TCM practitioners.

“The sudden stoppage of TCM services will only break their treatment routine,” he added.

The Ministry of Health announced on its website today that TCM services will not be allowed to function during the lockdown from June 1 to June 14.

The ministry said TCM clinics are currently not listed under the NSC’s list of essential services but Lee said that it was unfair to the patients and practitioners.

“Many of the practitioners are already fully vaccinated and, for the past year, they have become used to the Covid-19 SOPs while carrying out their duty.”

The former Perak executive councillor said the ministry had recognised the functions of TCM and started a division in January 2006.

“Until January 2020, there were 15 public hospitals that offer TCM. Among the treatments given are acupuncture, traditional massage and herbal therapy to supplement cancer patients,” he said.

Lee hoped the NSC will revise its list of essential services to include TCM. – June 1, 2021.