Surge in Scientific Articles: 40% Increase at 2nd National Congress on Persian Medicine
The second national congress on Persian medicine has witnessed a remarkable increase in participation, with a total of 569 articles submitted. This represents a significant forty-percent growth compared to the 390 articles submitted during the first congress. The scientific secretary of the congress, Hossein Rezaeizadeh, shared these insights during the closing ceremony held in Tehran from November 12 to 14.
Among the submissions, 24 articles were selected for presentation as lectures, while an impressive 433 articles were accepted in poster format. This surge in contributions highlights the growing interest and engagement in the field of Persian medicine.
Rezaeizadeh noted that some of the studies presented at the congress will be published in the international magazine ‘Traditional and Integrative Medicine’. This initiative aims to share valuable findings with a global audience, further establishing Persian medicine’s presence in the international scientific community.
The executive committee of the second congress is already planning for the upcoming third congress, which is set to take place in November. Based on the scientific achievements and feedback from participants, the committee is looking to introduce new research topics and enhance collaboration with international journals. This will aid in specialized training and bolster the committee’s structure, ensuring continued growth and development in the field of Persian medicine.
The congress served as a convergence point for experts in various domains, including:
- Persian medicine
- Traditional pharmacy
- The history of Iranian traditional medicine
- Preventive and lifestyle medicine
- Personalized and precision medicine
- Food, nutrition, and medicinal cuisine
- Traditional, herbal, and natural medicines
- Rational drug prescription in Persian medicine
- Technology and diagnostic tools
- Manual therapy techniques
- Persian medicine tourism
- History of Persian medicine and medical sciences
- The art of living in Persian medicine
- Integrative and complementary medicine
Nafiseh Hosseini-Yekta, the director of the health ministry’s Persian medicine office, emphasized the findings of a recent survey which indicated that 83.8 percent of the population in Iran expressed a desire to benefit from traditional Iranian medicine. Despite this positive attitude, only 10 out of 83.8 percent actively utilize traditional medicine and supplements for health issues.
The first national congress took place in May 2024, with the primary objective of enhancing understanding of traditional medicine. It aims to promote collaboration among specialists across various medical fields and to globalize Iranian medicine by showcasing recent advancements and discoveries to scientific communities around the world.
Highlighting Iran’s significant role in traditional medicine, a report from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that Iran ranks third in traditional medicine trials within the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). This positions the country as a leader in traditional and complementary medicine, following China and India, which rank first and second, respectively.
In Iran, clinical trials in traditional and complementary medicine account for approximately three percent of all registered clinical trials. However, only about 0.3 percent of healthcare professionals in the country specialize in this area. These statistics underscore the substantial potential for Iranian researchers to contribute to evidence-based medicine.
With the growing interest in Persian medicine and a commitment to advancing this field, the congress has laid a solid foundation for future developments. The collaboration between practitioners, researchers, and international platforms will undoubtedly enhance the visibility and impact of Persian medicine on a global scale.
As the momentum continues to build, the focus remains on integrating traditional practices with modern medical approaches, ensuring that the rich heritage of Persian medicine is preserved and promoted for generations to come.
In conclusion, the second national congress on Persian medicine marks a pivotal moment in the recognition and advancement of this ancient healing system, reflecting a promising future for its integration into contemporary healthcare.
