Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - The opening of the Sino-Uzbek Center for Traditional Medicine in Tashkent is a historic event, which indicates the successful implementation of the objectives of the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China. This was stated by the director of the Agency for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry under the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan Sardor Kariev in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

According to him, a new direction of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the PRC in the field of healthcare is being opened, namely in the field of traditional medicine, which is most in demand for the development of mankind in modern conditions.

“China has long been famous for traditional folk medicine. It was formed over the centuries, thanks to the rich spiritual heritage and hard work of Chinese thinkers, scientists and folk healers, and today it is very popular all over the world,” Kariev noted.

The director of the Agency for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry believes that the Tashkent Center for Traditional Medicine is designed to be a center for maintaining and strengthening people's health and a bridge for developing mutually beneficial cooperation between Uzbek and Chinese traditional healers.

In his opinion, this center can conduct activities in several areas. Firstly, the diagnosis of diseases, treatment of patients, prevention and promotion of a healthy lifestyle. “Here it is necessary to note the unique Chinese treatment methods using acupuncture, various types of massage, herbal and other environmentally friendly medicines,” S. Kariev said.

Secondly, cooperation in the pharmaceutical field, including in the manufacture of medicines from various herbs that grow in China and Uzbekistan. According to the official, a meeting recently took place with traditional Chinese medicine specialists who came to Uzbekistan as part of an expert group to assist in the fight against COVID-19. “Now negotiations are underway on the allocation of land for the cultivation of medicinal herbs, as well as on the creation of experimental plots on the territory of the forestry structures of the republic,” S. Kariev said.

Thirdly, this center opens up a wide opportunity for studying the spiritual heritage of the peoples of China, Uzbekistan and other countries of the world. “It is time to study and comprehend the scientific heritage of our great ancestors - scientists, philosophers and healers Abu Ali ibn Sina, Abu Bakr Muhammad ar-Razi, Abu Mansur Kumri, Ismail Dzhurjani - in the context of the development of modern medicine,” the Uzbek official noted.

Fourthly, the center is of key importance for training highly qualified personnel in the field of traditional medicine and pharmaceuticals. It is important to expand direct ties between the educational institutions of the two countries, S. Kariev emphasized, adding that the initiative of the Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine to create a branch in Uzbekistan deserves special attention.

“The Sino-Uzbek Center for Traditional Medicine in Tashkent will make an invaluable contribution to the implementation of the decree of President / Uzbekistan / Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the development of traditional medicine in Uzbekistan and the joint construction of the Silk Road of Health, which was proclaimed by the President of China Xi Jinping in 2016,” summarized Kariev.