During the period from 2009 to 2019
An increase of 211% in the number of visitors to "alternative medicine" clinics
Most of those coming to alternative medicine suffer from chronic immune diseases.
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Anwar Al Hammadi: “The increasing demand for alternative medicine clinics does not mean that it is better than traditional treatment.”
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A report by the Dubai Health Authority showed that the number of patients in alternative medicine clinics increased by 211%, from about 49,000 people in 2009 to 152,461 patients last year.
Two doctors attributed the reason for the increase to the patients' search for treatment methods away from chemical drugs and surgeries, as well as the intensive advertising campaigns on social media, which promote these types of treatments.
According to the report, of which Emirates Today obtained a copy, the demand for alternative medicine treatments is constantly increasing, year after year, with close rates between males and females.
The percentage of citizens seeking these treatments was 49.8%, compared to 50.2% of residents.
The authority stated that there are more than 33 types of treatment aimed at the auditors of alternative medicine clinics, the most common of which are muscular and nervous system treatments, rehabilitation after injuries and surgeries, then acupuncture, then “Ayurveda” treatment (an Indian term that means “science of life” and depends on the From the teachings of traditional medicine).
The head of the Emirati Dermatology Division, Dr. Anwar Al Hammadi, said, “The increasing demand for alternative medicine clinics does not mean that they are better than traditional treatment, because the medical profession in general is based on evidence and scientific evidence, and not on practices resulting from personal experiences.”
He pointed out that most of the patients who accept alternative medicine treatments are those who suffer from chronic immune diseases, and are looking for a treatment that avoids them being subjected to doses of chemical drugs or the risks of surgery.
He continued, "Advertising campaigns play a big role in the increase in this percentage, as promoters of this type of treatment are widespread on social media."
The public health specialist, Dr. Saif Darwish, said that “there are various reasons behind the increasing demand for alternative medicine, most of which are of a personal nature,” stressing that it has not been scientifically proven that this type of medicine is equivalent in its usefulness and benefit to traditional medicine.
He added that «the absence of side effects of alternative medicine treatments, such as herbs, Chinese needles and other treatments, in addition to the presence of non-scientific reports, reviewing the benefits of this type of treatment, are among the reasons for patients’ demand for it.
It is noteworthy that the authority has allowed private hospitals, finally, to provide traditional, alternative and complementary medicine and natural treatment services, such as “Ayurveda”, “Nature therapy”, “Homeopathy”, “Chinese needles”, “Herbal medicine” and “Greek medicine”.
It also allowed the work of the physiotherapy, manual therapy, orthopedic and spine centers to resume.
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