All 228 neighborhood health centers in Shanghai should provide traditional Chinese medicine therapy within this year.

Officials from the Shanghai Health Bureau made the announcement Wednesday at this year's TCM work conference.

To enhance service quality, authorities will train 200 general practitioners in TCM theories and skills this year, officials said.

"Facing a severe challenge from Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine is fading in the country," said Ma Qiang, vice director of the bureau.

"However, TCM has a long history in China and has its strong points in disease prevention, treatment, health protection and recovery.

"TCM should play a more important role in the public health system and in urgent health event responses."

The city will strengthen TCM study to prevent and control infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and C and AIDS and enhance its capability in emergency treatment.　

(Shanghai Daily May 11, 2007)