|
This International Organization formed in 1962 congruent to the policy objectives of the WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. In 1962 The WHO and UNICEF sponsored an International Conference in USSR at Alma Ata, at the University of Kazakhstan. At this conference the ALMA ATA DECLARATION defined a global strategy for public health and preventive medicine which epitomized as "HEALTH FOR ALL BY 2000 A.D." This strategy entails the use of all available healing methods both Orthodox and Traditional and Medicina Alternativa was formed as an international society under the guidelines of THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, and registered under the legal enactments of USSR in Alma Ata in 1962. Its membership was limited to those who attended that meeting. Delegates from 46 countries were represented. The first Chairman was Prof. V. Inyushin of the Department of Biophysics of the University of Khazakstan in USSR. The co-chairman was Prof. Dr. Jos Schade, the celebrated neurologist from Holland.
Summary of aims is as follows :-
(1) To advance the scientific study and professional practice of Medicines, by encouraging its development by promoting research, living high standards of professional ethics, competence, conduct, education, qualification and achievement among practitioners.
(2) To carry out the promotion and the dissemination of knowledge and philosophy of Medicines through local and International Meeting, lectures, seminars, workshops, reports, papers, discussions, publications and professional contacts.
(3) To encourage a wide interest among the public and Medicines and all ancillary areas of knowledge and practice.
Alma Ata declaration emphasizes primary health care which has been described as "Essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods and technology, made universally accessible to individuals and families of the community through their full participation and at a cost that a community and a country can afford to maintain at every stage of their development, in the spirit of self reliance and self determination.
Primary health care practice is based on the special training and scientific orientation provided to health care workers including physicians, nurses, midwives, auxiliary and community workers and Traditional medical practitioners. Therefore Medicina Alternativa under the WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION guidelines have established procedures and regulations outlining the Code of Ethics that healers are expected to allow, consequent to their training and certification by "The Open International University For Complementary Medicines". However, practitioners are governed by legislation and regulations which are appropriate to their country in which they hold registration, in addition to the Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics is a general guideline to all practitioners.
As candidates from many countries of the world found it difficult to attend the courses held in Khazakstan, it was decided to transfer the main base to Western Europe. Some years later, the subsequent (second) Chairman (Prof. Dr. Jos Schade, M.D., Ph.D) transferred the organization to the Netherlands (Houten, City of Utrecht, Dr. S. Yasuda being the first Patron). However, persons from Third World countries and developing nations could not easily avail of the training programs in the various medical disciplines made available through the organization in Western Europe because of expensive living costs. In order to make this knowledge accessible to a larger population, and especially to those in economically less well off countries, it was decided to move the base to Sri Lanka (Ceylon) under the Chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Sir Anton Jayasuriya. Medicina Alternativa initially was based at the Institute of Acupuncture at the Colombo South Government General Hospital, Kalubowila, Sri Lanka. Over 29,000 students from 120 countries have been taught complementary medicine to date. Under the auspices, the various regional associations have instituted training courses, Symposia and World Congresses in all five continents and in over one hundred countries in the past quarter of a century.
Thus, it was decided in 1987 to constitute The Open International University for Complementary Medicines with special emphasis to conduct an intensive clinical training program on various Complimentary and alternative therapies world wide, working with conjunction with other affiliated originations. The Sri Lanka Government was requested to enact legislation to enable The Open International University for Complementary Medicines to be constituted as a privately funded postgraduate institute. In March, 1988 onwards, degrees are being conferred and training courses are being conducted under the U.N. theme "Health for all by the year 2000". The Open International University for Complementary Medicines form part of this worldwide endeavor to improve educational and public health facilities by the year 2000 A.D.
His Excellency J. R.Jayewardene, former President of Sri Lanka, by Letter No. 196/1 of 25th March, 1988 recognized the Open International University for Complementary Medicines as a privately funded body and also kindly consented (in August 1989) to be the Honorary Patron of this University. Prof. Dr. Sir Stanley Cook was the International Chancellor and Mr. Eardly Perera Esqr, President's Counsel, was the chief legal advisor.
Since then OIUCM as been in the forefront in developing and promoting Complementary and Alternative Medicines World Wide for the past three decades. The Administrative Secretariat is at No 29, Budhist Central, Colombo 06, Sri Lanka. The Affairs of the OIUCM is run by the board of directors appointed both locally and internationally by the Trustees of Medicina Alternativa.
|
