ISLAMABAD, Feb 28: Federal Minister for Health Mohammad Nasir Khan has said it is encouraging to note that many Asian countries had turned to traditional medicine for the treatment of SARS.

He wa speaking at an international symposium on "Prevention and Treatment of SARS by Traditional Chinese Medicine" on Saturday.

The minister is attending the symposium on special invitation by the Chinese health ministry, says a fax message received here from Beijing.

He said research was being carried out in traditional medicine to assist in evidence based solution of the disease.

Nasir Khan maintained that the phenomenon of globalization in the 21st century had altered the traditional distinction between national and international health.

There was a need to strengthen global and national disease surveillance systems and respond pro-actively to public health emergencies of international concerns like SARS and Bird Flu, "continued vigilance is required", he added.

The minister said no case of SARS was reported or detected in Pakistan. However, a lot of work is needed to be done in countries, which were located at the crossroads of ancient culture and were now a link between East and the West. The minister also met Chinese vice minister for health, She Jing, and other senior officials and discussed matters regarding bilateral cooperation in the sphere of health.

He said the country also had a strong base in the field of traditional medicine and legislation would be carried out soon to regulate and develop this particular sector. Pakistan had a tremendous potential to produce important plants and herbs, which could be used in traditional medicine, and there was a need to have their growth on scientific basis, he added.

The Chinese side welcomed the idea of establishing a University of Excellence in traditional medicine and assured of its support in this regard.

China also offered scholarships for training to Pakistanis.-APP