The Senate at its session on September 21 passed the Bill adopting liability for practicing traditional medicine without permit. According to the Protection of individuals' health Bill, persons without medical education have the right to practice medicine using traditional medicine methods. However, to do so, they need a conclusion from the Special Commission for Licensing Medical Activities Using Traditional Medicine Methods under the Ministry of Health.
Meanwhile, only approved diagnostic and treatment methods shall be allowed in traditional healthcare practice.
However, the current legislation has no punishment for practicing traditional medicine without permit, as well as for providing services using methods not permitted in the field of traditional medicine for receiving financila assets or property benefits.
"As a result, individuals are falling victims of quacks, and the consequences of such services can negatively affect the health of individuals," the upper house of parliament said in a statement.
The new bill has proposed to establish administrative liability for practicing traditional medicine without permit and using treatment methods not permitted in this field, as well as promoting such services.
Also, the provision on the ban on such advertising is included in the law "On Advertising".
Thus, for violation of the new article 59-5 of the Code of Administrative Liability, which covers these provisions, a fine of 15 to 20 basic calculation units (BCU) (from 5.1 million to 6.8 million soums) is proposed to be adopted for individuals, from 20 to 25 BCU (from 6.8 million to 8.5 million soums) - for officials.
For a repeated violation within a year, the fine increases from 25 to 30 BCU and also provides for arrest for up to 15 days.
Deputy Minister of Health, Elmira Basitkhanova said that nurses and family doctors, together with mahalla activists, will regularly conduct monitoring to identify individuals illegally engaged in traditional medicine. Then a list of traditional quacks will be compiled, who will be explained the requirement to legalize their activities.
