China News Network, Hohhot, May 13, by wire, Topic: Chinese medicine "out of the circle" overseas: acupuncture, cupping in Africa strength "circle powder"
Author Chen Feng Yan Long
"The curative effect of traditional Chinese medicine is excellent. They cured my headache that had troubled me for 10 years through acupuncture. Traditional Chinese medicine is a very magical medicine." On May 13, Murenz, a Rwandan citizen who had shaken off his stubborn headache, told reporters excitedly that his headache had no curative effect after several treatments for 10 years, and then he even had to rely on painkillers every day until he met the treatment of traditional Chinese medicine.
This scene took place in Africa on the other side of the ocean. In Rwanda, Africa, a wave of Chinese medicine is rising quietly.
The picture shows a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine cupping a patient in Rwanda. (Data map) Provided by An Lingfei
Rwanda, located in the middle east of Africa, is known as the "country of thousands of hills". Local people walk on mountain roads all the year round, and limb and joint injuries are common. The Chinese medicine doctors from the China (Inner Mongolia) African aid medical team came here to learn about this situation, put forward the treatment plan of Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion, and began to try.
"No injection, no medicine, acupuncture?" At first, acupuncture therapy was questioned by the Rwandan people.
"In order to make them believe that traditional Chinese medicine, which has been passed down for thousands of years in China, has miraculous curative effects, members of each batch of medical teams for Africa will carry out free clinic activities, so that Chinese medicine can be more widely seen by (local) people." An Lingfei is the deputy chief physician of the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and also a member of the 24th batch of Chinese (Inner Mongolia) medical teams for Africa and Rwanda. An Lingfei talked about the implementation of traditional Chinese medicine in Rwanda.
The picture shows a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine consulting a patient in Rwanda. (Data map) Provided by An Lingfei
With the passage of time, the efficacy of the TCM acupuncture treatment scheme gradually emerged, and more and more local people began to accept and trust this treatment method.
TCM diagnosis and treatment is simple, convenient, effective and cost friendly. After the smooth implementation of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy, the Chinese doctors of the Chinese (Inner Mongolia) African aid medical team also want to make more Chinese medicine treatments better benefit the local people.
With the support of many parties, on December 19, 2023, the "Rwanda Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Center" was officially renamed as "China Rwanda Traditional Chinese Medicine Center". So far, Rwanda has officially established a TCM diagnosis and treatment center covering acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, massage and other items.
The picture shows the plaque of "China Rwanda TCM Diagnosis and Treatment Center" hanging in Massaka Hospital, Rwanda. Drawing provided by An Lingfei
After the establishment of the TCM diagnosis and treatment center, it was immediately "favored" by local patients. Every day, there was a long line at the door of the consulting room, and patients wanted to experience the magic "Oriental Mystery".
After receiving comprehensive treatment of traditional Chinese medicine, Naomi, 60 years old, went from leg pain to inability to walk normally, and now she can walk with the help of walking aids. She can't help sighing, "Traditional Chinese medicine is great. If I were not old, I would really like to go to China to study traditional Chinese medicine."
The picture shows An Lingfei giving acupuncture treatment to Rwandan people. (Data map) Provided by An Lingfei
Similarly, local people Bamlangri's body pain was significantly reduced after taking traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and massage. "After the treatment of traditional Chinese medicine, I feel very good now. I really hope that traditional Chinese medicine can help more people."
In the video of Africa aid work shared by An Lingfei to reporters, the first thing that came into sight was the busy Chinese doctors. They walked briskly and nimbly between the sickbeds, lifting the needles and dropping the cupboards, and lifting the pain for the people who had seen the doctor.
Zhang Heping, the leader of the 24th batch of China (Inner Mongolia) medical team for Rwanda in Africa, said, "The average daily number of patients in Chinese medicine clinics has gone from 30 at the beginning to 50 now, sometimes even more."
The picture shows a long line at the door of the TCM clinic every day after its establishment. Drawing provided by An Lingfei
Today, the demand of local patients for traditional Chinese medicine treatment is rising, and overtime has become the normal work of traditional Chinese medicine doctors in the African aid medical team.
"It is better to teach people how to fish than to teach them how to fish." An Lingfei said: "Now, in Massaka Hospital where the TCM diagnosis and treatment center is located, there are many doctors who also have a strong interest in Chinese medicine. They want to follow us to learn Chinese medicine knowledge and technology, so we will spare no effort to carry out the training of Chinese medicine talents, so that Chinese medicine can take root in Africa, so that Chinese medicine culture can spread more widely and further." (End)