In the last month we are seeing some healthy 'war' between allopathic practice and integrated practice. But it is said to see our allopathic colleagues treat us as quacks, unethical, etc. But doctors trained in Western medicine in the West (developed countries) are the ones now doing integrated medicine. So what's the problem? In the developed countries, they are integrating because they are finding that the allopathic system of treatment has its limitations.

The doctors practising integrated medicine in Malaysia have gone to the developed countries either for treatment for themselves or for their loved ones, it not being available in Malaysia. They found this integrated system (as practiced by registered fully-trained allopathic doctors and specialists) helped in the cure and brought back this knowledge to help their patients and fellow Malaysians.

It does not mean that we have gone off our allopathic system of medicine but have integrated it with complementary systems whenever it is necessary. I still do surgery in my clinic. In fact, I had my own surgical hospital at one time and practised pure allopathic medicine. I qualified in 1977 and served the Malaysian government for five years at various hospitals. So I knew what is the allopathic system when I went overseas for training in integrated medicine.

Statins are used for nearly every patient who has high cholesterol. I used to use it widely in my practise. Then I learned from colleagues in the US that red yeast rice and an apple a day taken on an empty stomach can bring down cholesterol. Are we trained to heal or trained to make the pharmaceutical companies rich?

In a recent article, Malaysian Medical Association magazine editor Dr David KL.Quek asked: 'Have patient or consumer knowledge empowerment so radically overwhelmed our sensible yet equipoise authority on what is truly best for each and every different person? Have we surrendered en mass our balanced and well-honed judgement to the stringent inflexibility of practice guidelines of the modern era?

'Has our hitherto much vaunted physician-patient relationship expired its last breadth? Has medical practice become too scientifically or technically reductionist to the point of being all science and no art at all? Has this cold and impersonal approach driven our patients away toward other more caring practitioners of alternative systems?

'Let's all ponder some moments to reignite that inner voice of why we chose to become physicians in the first instance, and let our forgotten art of healing emerge.'

I feel we registered medical practitioners should look at the art of healing as a professional obligation to our patients. Do what is best in the interest of the patient. In my 15 years of integrated practice, I find complementary forms of practice which are less invasive and mainly common sense should be the first line of treatment

Go for invasive methods when the body does not respond to its own defence and immune systems. We can support the body to heal itself. Integrated medicine teaches this simple philosophy.

The writer is the president, Malaysian Society for Complementary Therapies.