TCM wins recognition amid HK COVID fight

The fifth wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in Hong Kong has strengthened the social recognition of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 symptoms.

In the week of March 21, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government asked the central government to send another batch of Chinese mainland medicine practitioners to the city to help fight the pandemic.

It also launched a free Chinese medicine tele-consultation service for COVID-19 patients quarantined at home.

Beginning in April, the government will distribute anti-pandemic kits to 3 million Hong Kong households. Besides 20 KN95 masks, 20 rapid antigen tests, anti-pandemic information kits and greeting cards, the kits also contain two TCM capsules. The government has already distributed 1.2 million Chinese medicine sachets given by the mainland.