Annotated Source- WHO

Dr. Margaret Chan (Director- General of the WHO)
2008 Address at the WHO Congress on Traditional Medicine http://www.who.int/dg/speeches/2008/20081107/en/

1. What is the source’s stated purpose (the argument or thesis)?

Dr. Chen discusses the challenges that development faces in attempting to meld traditional medicine in mainstream health care in an appropriate, effective, and safe manner and argues in favor of utilizing it more fully.

2. What evidence does the author provide to support his or her main argument? How is the author attempting to logically prove his or her thesis and how does this affect the organization of the document?

Dr. Chen discusses that for many who live in rural areas of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, traditional medicine is their main or only healthcare provider. She says that was this is the way things are at present, it is not ideal; modern drugs can greatly ease suffering and enhance chances for survival. In Afria, they estimate that 60% of children with high fever (some of which is caused by malaria) are treated with herbal remedies. Out of 136 million women giving birth, 58 million receive no assistance. There are still a high number of preventable maternal deaths. She points out that this is NOT a failure of traditional medicine, but the failure of health systems to effectively serve those in greatest need.

On the other hand however, in more developed societies there is a (sometimes) dangerous move towards traditional medical techniques that are unproven. She observes that many are purusing these methods in response to a “hard-hearted highly specialized “ system of medicine that feels impersonal. She advocates moving towards a melding of the two methods, specifically primary health care. She believes it to be a “people-centered, holistic approach to health that makes prevention as important as the cure”.  Dr. Chen believes primary health care to be the cure to the 21^st century ills of “globalization of unhealthy lifestyles, rapid unplanned urbanization, and demographic aging… seen in the rise of noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and mental disorders”. She does not advocate abandoning traditional medicine, but augmenting it and evaluating the appropriateness of its situational use.

3. Who is the audience? What does the author assume the audience already knows about the topic?

Dr. Chen is addressing the WHO Conference in a speech. She assumes they have a shared purpose and goal. They are well informed about development and medicine. 

4. Describe the author’s methods (i.e. how does the author know what he or she knows)?  In your opinion were they appropriate why or why not?

Dr. Chen is a high-ranking member of a well-established organization. Her points were well made and credible just by virtue of her position in WHO. She treats both sides of medicine with respect and seemed concerned for people as a whole.

5. To what other sources (theorist, researchers, artists) does the author refer? Explain the specific ideas the author draws upon from these other sources to support his or her own argument (the theoretical framework).

Since Dr. Chen is giving a speech, many of her sources are not cited. Since the Wolrd Health Organization is a reputable group (albeit with an agenda) her facts are likely well researched, credible, and derived from the organization itself.

6. What are the connections between this source and your project? How useful or applicable is this source’s approach to your own project? How is yours new and different? 

I have not yet decided what field of development I will be studying, but modern medicine and traditional medicine deeply interest me. I am interested in the seemingly contradictory move away from traditional medicine in developing nations while affluent nations are often ignoring modern medical techniques for popular and unproven ancient medical practices.