May International Links
BEIJING-- Experts and practitioners called for the expansion of traditional Chinese medicine's (TCM) global influence on Tuesday. "The world is rapidly embracing TCM. It's like an infant who needs care, attention and guidance," Michele Ball, a TCM doctor licensed in Toronto, Canada, and an instructor at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, told an international forum in Beijing yesterday. TCM belongs not only to China but also to every country, she said.
The forum on TCM's international presence was organized by the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SATCM) and the China Australia Cooperation Society (CACS). The West considers TCM, which uses herbal medicine, acupuncture and massage, "alternative medicine", but it has gained popularity in recent years because of its effectiveness and affordability.
"More and more people around the world are interested in TCM, which has become a major medical force," SATCM director and Vice-Minister of Health Wang Guoqiang said. Wang said in January that TCM had spread to more than 160 countries.
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Making Malaysian Herbs the Economy of Tomorrow
KUALA LUMPUR, (Bernama) -- The organizers of the Third Herbal Asia Business Dialogue (HAB) 2009 are calling on all industry players to attend the event, scheduled for April 30 at the MATRADE Exhibition and Convention Centre here.
The dialogue is held in conjunction with the Sixth Herbal Asia, a trade exhibition showcasing the finest and latest in the herbal industry, to be held at the same venue from April 30 to May 3.
The statement said that participants would be able to discuss the importance and significance of herbal medicine in the Malaysian community and how it can become a successful tourism product to be promoted to the international market.
They would explore ways to commercialize and brand these Malaysian herbs to lend a unique Malaysian identity to it and participants would also discuss ways to diversify their herbal based products and services to attract a larger audience.
www.bernama.com
PATRICK Vice, a 20-year-old student, has an unusual claim to fame – he was the first baby in East London to be induced by acupuncture. The former Selborne College pupil is now studying towards a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology, human kinetics and ergonomics at Rhodes University in Grahamstown.
He said his mother was pregnant with him in June 1988 when the acupuncture was performed by his uncle. “My mom always had that 1988 Dispatch article up on her bedroom wall, framed between a couple of my other baby pictures,” he said.
“I haven’t actually read the article though, but I do know that it was my uncle who performed the acupuncture.”
www.dispatch.co.za
from China Daily- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a new prescription for health as medical institutions will now be required to bolster their TCM departments. A circular released yesterday by the State Council ordered local governments to include hospitals for traditional medicine in their health service networks. It also requires health institutions to improve TCM training, facilities and medicines.
"Every community health service station and village health clinic should be able to offer TCM services," the circular said. Governments at various levels will increase investment in public hospitals for traditional medicine to improve facilities, support research and train doctors. "Traditional medicines have outstanding advantages. They cost much less than western medicines," Professor Ha Xiaoxian from Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine was quoted by Xinhua as saying. "They will fit in with the health service in rural areas and communities."
In the circular, the State Council said traditional medicines will be included with the State's basic medicines and traditional medicine hospitals will be in the list of designated hospitals under the country's basic health insurance programs for both rural and urban residents.
www.chinadaily.com.cn
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