"The idea was also discussed at a health ministry national working meeting in Batam a few days ago. however, many things still need to be considered before it can be implemented," he said.
The Indonesian health ministry had put the matter on its agenda since 2010 but its realization until recently had remained uncertain, he added.
He said there were still several things that should be considered before doctors could actually include herbs in their prescriptions although research conducted by the health ministry`s health research and development agency had found herbs to contain real medicinal properties.
Besides, certain regulations were needed to endorse the use and distribution of herbs as legal medicines in medical practice. Therefore, Dodo said, the health office in each province should take over the control of the distribution of medicinal herbs.
Meanwhile, polyclinics of traditional herbal medicine which existed in hospitals or community health centers should have a legal license to operate. The legal permits would be issued by the health minister as the government agency overseeing hospitals and community health centers in Indonesia.
Dodo said the preparation of implementing herbs as legal medicine for medical practice was aimed to encourage Indonesia to become a center of herbal medicine. Even more, Indonesia is a plentiful herbs country which most of the herbs can be used as medicine.
"Later on, the traditional herbal medicine can be applied in state and private hospitals in Indonesia," Dodo said.
(Uu.KR-FNY/HAJM/P003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
