TCM to play bigger role in fight against AIDS

Traditional Chinese medicine will play a bigger role in preventing and curing major infectious diseases such as AIDS, according to China's top TCM authority.

TCM management authorities will work together with the National Health and Family Planning Commission this year to formulate plans that integrate traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine in the treatment of AIDS/HIV patients, the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine announced on Sunday.

"TCM institutes are expected to improve their capacities in responding new and outbreaks of infectious diseases, and be well prepared to deal with major infectious diseases such as Ebola, H7N9 and Aden fever," said a new year's working plan released by the administration.

The administration will continue to cooperate with international organizations such as the World Health Organization for better international exchange and more influence overseas of traditional Chinese medicine, Wang Guoqiang, head of the administration, said.