Malaysia has a large variety of traditional medical systems that are a direct reflection of the wide ethnic diversity of its population. These can be grouped into four basic varieties, namely, traditional bumiputra ("native"), traditional Chinese, traditional Indian and modern medicine. The Malay, lban and Kadazan traditional medical systems are briefly described. It is noted that despite the great inroads made by modern medicine, the traditional systems are firmly established. Patients move from one system to another or use several systems simultaneously.