Experts studying benefits of traditional Chinese medicine vs. COVID-19 —DOH

Traditional Chinese medicine is being studied by experts as a possible cure for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Tuesday.

“Patuloy ang pag-aaral sa posibleng lunas sa COVID-19… Kagaya po ng ibang medicine, tinitingnan po ng ating mga eksperto kung ano ang maaaring gamit ng traditional Chinese medicine laban sa COVID-19,” he said at a virtual press briefing.

Three of the 12 members of the Chinese medical team that arrived in the Philippines on Sunday specialize in traditional Chinese medicine.

Four of them, meanwhile, specialize in Critical Care Medicine.

“Malaking tulong naman ang kanilang expertise sa Critical Care Medicine upang matugunan ang ating mga pangangailangan ng ating severe and critical cases,” Duque said.

Thirty-nine of the country’s 3,764 COVID-19 cases are in severe condition, while 23 are already critical, according to the health chief.

“Inaasahan po natin na dahil sa kanilang mga karanasan sa paglaban ng COVID-19 sa kanilang bansa, maganda ang ibabahagi nilang mga suhestiyon,” Duque said.

The DOH announced last week that the Philippines would be joining the solidarity trial of the World Health Organization, which seeks to find a cure for the respiratory illness.

COVID-19 has so far claimed 177 lives in the Philippines, while 84 have already recovered. -MDM, GMA News