Zimbabwean practitioners back from China participa...

Zimbabwean practitioners back from China participation in TCM seminar

Dr Hu Sha

Zim Now Correspondent

Since 1953, China has carried out the human resources development cooperation program, which aims to provide various forms of training for academic and degree education, professional and technical training and other personnel exchange programs for developing countries through bilateral and multilateral channels.

From October 10 to October 23, 2024, the training course on the clinical application of TCM in western medicine sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China was successfully held in Beijing and Kunming. The seminar was attended by 22 participants from Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Armenia, North Macedonia, Panama, Sri Lanka and Jordan.

The Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe, the 21st China Medical Team to Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe-China TCM Center jointly organized three local practitioners of traditional medicine from Zimbabwe to attend the seminar in China. Dr Karen Gurure is the chairperson of the Traditional Medical Practioner Council. Mr Munashe Mugoneka and Miss Charlotte Muziri are medical assistants and trainees of the Zimbabwe-China TCM Center.

This seminar focused on the clinical application of integrated Chinese and Western medicine, combined with classroom teaching, exchange and answer questions, sharing discussions, visits and other forms, by a number of relevant management and professionals with professional theory and practical experience in the clinical application of integrated Chinese and Western medicine.

The main training courses include: introduction of China's national conditions, China's poverty reduction experience, China's public health system,; the etiology and pathogenesis of TCM, the application of TCM in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, the diagnosis and treatment ideas of traditional Chinese and Western medicine for common chronic diseases, and the practice of acupuncture and moxibustion; visit TCM planting, production, preparation, digital drug logistics center, TCM museum management, etc., medical cooperation and experience exchange between China and foreign countries; as well as cultural experiences such as visiting Chinese historical spots and traditional art.

The three participants have safely returned to Zimbabwe. They said that through this seminar, they have seen the actual development of traditional medicine in China, and have a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and TCM culture. TCM is not only a treatment method, but also a philosophy of life, which is a holistic approach to regulating the internal environment and the immune system to fight symptoms.

They hope that they can continue to spread TCM concept to more Zimbabweans under the leadership of the teachers of Zimbabwe-China TCM Center, so that more people can benefit. They look forward to applying what they have learned to practical work in the future, further strengthening the connection and cooperation between traditional Zimbabwe medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, and enhancing the friendship between Zimbabwe and China.

The author, Dr. Hu Sha, deputy captain of the 21st China Medical Team in Zimbabwe and director of the Zimbabwe-China Traditional Chinese Medicine Center, comes from the First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine.