President: Dhivehi Beys - a legacy which must be passed down to future generations

Traditional Maldivian medicine, Dhivehi Beys, is a part of the cultural heritage of Maldives and a legacy which must be passed down to future generations, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Solih made the comment during the inauguration of the National Symposium on Traditional and Alternative Medicine held at Hotel Jen this Sunday morning.

Inaugurating the one-day symposium organized by Ministry of Health, Solih highlighted on the place of traditional medicine in Maldivian heritage, and the importance of protecting traditional medicine and passing it down to future generations.

“Traditional medicine is an important artifact of who we are. It is our responsibility to protect this legacy and pass it down to future generations,” said Solih.

He said that traditional medicine needs to be developed alongside modern medicine in order to ensure it is passed down to future generations. He also highlighted on campaigns by other countries to develop and protect traditional medicine.

“Western medicine has revolutionized the world’s health system. But no matter how efficacious the medicine is, there’s not a single country which has said goodbye to traditional and alternative medicine. Every country has tried to develop and promote traditional medicine through modern resources,” said Solih.

He also stressed the need for professional know-how of those who provide traditional medicine.

“As you too agree, medicine is linked with health and life. And for this reason, medicine should not be left in the hands of amateurs,” said Solih.

The President pledged to prioritize traditional and alternative medicine – which he said were previously overlooked – in shaping the current administration’s health policies.

He also stressed the need to include and regulate traditional medicine through the country’s health system.

Solih said during his speech that there were 5 Islamic physicians (hakims), 19 alternative medicine practitioners and 59 traditional medicine practitioners registered in Maldives.

The symposium to develop and promote traditional and alternative medicine was one of Solih’s First 100-Day Goals.