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eCAM Advance Access originally published online on April 20, 2005
eCAM 2005 2(2):139-142; doi:10.1093/ecam/neh088
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© The Author (2005). Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
The online version of this article has been published under an open access model. Users are entitled to use, reproduce, disseminate, or display the open access version of this article for non-commercial purposes provided that: the original authorship is properly and fully attributed; the Journal and Oxford University Press are attributed as the original place of publication with the correct citation details given; if an article is subsequently reproduced or disseminated not in its entirety but only in part or as a derivative work this must be clearly indicated. For commercial re-use, please contact journals.permissions{at}oupjournals.org

Review

Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Pakistan: Prospects and Limitations

Babar T. Shaikh1,* and Juanita Hatcher2

1Health Systems Division, Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University Karachi, Pakistan, and 2Community Health Sciences Research Development Office, Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University Karachi, Pakistan

Despite all the marvelous advancements in modern medicine, traditional medicine has always been practiced. More than 70% of the developing world's population still depends on the complementary and alternative systems of medicine (CAM). Cultural beliefs and practices often lead to self-care or home remedies in rural areas and consultation with traditional healers. Evidence-based CAM therapies have shown remarkable success in healing acute as well as chronic diseases. Alternative therapies have been utilized by people in Pakistan who have faith in spiritual healers, clergymen, hakeems, homeopaths or even many quacks. These are the first choice for problems such as infertility, epilepsy, psychosomatic troubles, depression and many other ailments. The traditional medicine sector has become an important source of health care, especially in rural and tribal areas of the country. The main reasons for consulting a CAM healer is the proximity, affordable fee, availability, family pressure and the strong opinion of the community. Pakistan has a very rich tradition in the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of various ailments. It necessitates the integration of the modern and CAM systems in terms of evidence-based information sharing. The health-seeking behavior of the people especially in developing countries calls for bringing all CAM healers into the mainstream by providing them with proper training, facilities and back-up for referral. A positive interaction between the two systems has to be harnessed to work for the common goal of improving health of the people.

Keywords: alternative medicine – complementary medicine – health care system – health-seeking behavior – Pakistan

*For reprints and all correspondence: Dr Babar T. Shaikh, Senior Instructor, Health Systems Division, Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, PO Box 3500, Karachi, Pakistan. Tel: +92-21-4930051 ext: 4899, 4811 Fax: +92-21-4934294, 4932095; E-mail: babar.shaikh{at}aku.edu


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