Pathway
Nutraceutical
The term Nutraceutical was coined in the 1990's by Dr. Stephen DeFelice. He defined Nutraceutical as: 'A Nutraceutical is any substance that is a food or a part of a food and provides medical or health benefits, including the prevention and treatment of disease. Such products may range from isolated nutrients, dietary supplements and specific diets to genetically engineered designed foods, herbal products, and processed foods such as cereals, soups and beverages. It is important to note that this definition applies to all categories of food and parts of food, ranging from dietary supplements such as folic acid to chicken soup, taken to lessen the discomfort of the common cold. This definition also includes a bio-engineered designer vegetable food, rich in antioxidant ingredients, and
Situation in Pakistan
In Pakistan, over half of the population (66%) lives in the rural part of the country. Poverty, compounded by illiteracy, low status of women, and inadequate water and sanitation facilities, has had a deep impact on health indicators. Limited knowledge of health and disease, cultural and household remedies, perceptions of a health service and provider and social barriers, and the cost related to the provision of an effective health service have been the major
Limitations
The relationship between the conventional allopathic physician and the CAM provider is of rivalry and animosity, just as happens in any other part of the world Orthodox medicine has never been in favor of traditional medicine; therefore, these practices are denounced vigorously by restricting their access, labeling them as anti-scientific and imposing penalties on their practice. Some understandable factors for this rejection include lack of education, training,regulation
The Way Forward
To develop a balanced health policy to provide efficient and acceptable health services, we need to understand the diversity of health-seeking behavior of the population in the pluralistic health care system of Pakistan.
People have been consulting traditional healers for ages and they will keep on doing so for various reasons. The solution lies only in bringing these CAM healers into the mainstream by providing them with proper training, facilities and back-up for referral. The state regulatory authorities have a crucial role to play in this scenario, in terms of recognition of CAM, financing and appreciating training and research in this field. The inclusion of some introductory modules of CAM into the medical curriculum of allopathic medical schools may be considered.
