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A deep dive into the ways traditional medicine can improve health | |
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![]() A guest attending the 2024 World Conference on Traditional Medicine experiences Chinese massage therapy in the traditional Chinese medicine experience zone at the National Convention Center in Beijing on December 3 (ZHAO WEI)
A bronze acupuncture statue, standing about 1.8 meters tall, welcomes visitors at the entrance of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) experience zone on the fourth floor of the National Convention Center in Beijing. This replica is modeled after a statue gifted by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2017, symbolizing the rich legacy of TCM. The original was installed at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, as a tribute to the millennia-old wisdom embedded in one of history's earliest medical teaching models. The immersive experience zone was part of the 2024 World Conference on Traditional Medicine, held on December 3-4. Co-hosted by the WHO, China's National Health Commission and National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the Beijing Municipal Government, the event was themed Diversity, Inheritance and Innovation: Traditional Medicine for All. It attracted over 3,500 participants, including 600 international delegates from 85 countries and regions, showcasing a shared commitment to preserving and advancing traditional medicine globally. In a congratulatory letter, Xi reaffirmed China's dedication to promoting traditional medicine for the benefit of the world. He emphasized the importance of collective efforts to strengthen medical and health cooperation, address global health challenges, and build a global community of health for all. Tradition and innovation At the conference's opening, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, speaking via video link, commended China's achievements in integrating traditional and modern medicine. He cited the discovery of artemisinin by Chinese pharmacologist Tu Youyou, winner of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, as a groundbreaking example. Artemisinin is a chemical compound derived from the herbaceous plant Artemisia annua, also known as sweet wormwood, which has been used in TCM for centuries. Inspired by the related ancient Chinese medical texts, Tu's work on artemisinin has resulted in a life-saving malaria treatment, credited with saving millions of lives worldwide. Tedros reiterated the WHO's commitment to evidence-based traditional medicine, emphasizing its vital role in enhancing global healthcare. He advocated for its integration into national healthcare systems, noting the potential of traditional practices to complement modern medical advancements. China has established itself as a leader in blending traditional and modern medicine. Chen Zhu, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and former Minister of Health, emphasized the continuous modernization of TCM at the event, attributing its progress to scientific and technological advancements. The personalized precision medicine approach, aligned with TCM's principle of dialectics, or the interaction between the internal environment (the body's own systems) and the external environment (weather, emotions, lifestyle, diet), is gaining broader acceptance, enabling treatments tailored to individual needs, Chen said, adding that the multidisciplinary team system is also becoming more prominent, fostering closer collaboration between TCM practitioners and Western medical professionals. Moreover, there is a growing focus on disease prevention and restoring the body's natural balance to enhance resilience against illness, according to Chen. These developments are breaking down traditional divides between TCM and Western medicine, paving the way for innovation and convergence in healthcare. "Inheritance is the source of water and the root of trees, while innovation is the driving force behind the continuous development and progress of all things," Chen said. This sentiment was echoed by Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun, former Director General of the WHO (2006-17). She stressed the unique strengths of traditional medicine, including its flexibility, cost-effectiveness and emphasis on preventive care, which can contribute to reducing healthcare costs. She emphasized that traditional medicine nurtures cultural exchange and mutual learning. Its globalization, including the spread of TCM, supports cultural preservation, enhances collaboration, and contributes to the vision of building a shared future for humanity. The growing international influence of TCM has positioned it as a dynamic channel for China's global cooperation efforts. China has signed traditional medicine cooperation agreements with more than 40 countries and regions and established 30 TCM centers in Belt and Road Initiative partner nations, fostering connectivity along and beyond the historic Silk Road routes. Additionally, acupuncture has gained official recognition in 113 WHO member states, underscoring TCM's dual role as a symbol of cultural heritage and a catalyst for international collaboration. Domestically, TCM services have seen remarkable growth. According to the National Health Commission, 9.3 million TCM-focused medical institutions across China accommodated 15.4 billion patient visits in 2023 alone. "Integrating traditional medicine with modern advancements—such as artificial intelligence technology—can harmonize TCM's foundational principles with cutting-edge innovations, creating complementary strengths," Zhang Boli, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and President of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, said. The conference conveyed a powerful message: Tradition and innovation are not opposing forces but complementary pillars of progress. As countries face challenges such as emerging diseases and aging populations, fusing traditional and modern medicine offers a holistic, sustainable approach to global health. Expanding horizons The inheritance and innovation of traditional medicine rely heavily on a steady pipeline of skilled practitioners, which education plays an essential role in providing. Among the nine parallel sessions at the conference, the Traditional Medicine Education Forum stood out for its forward-thinking approach and international focus. Hosted by Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (BUCM), one of China's leading TCM institutions, the event aimed to drive progress in this field. In her opening remarks, Wang Yaoqi, Secretary of the BUCM Committee of the Communist Party of China, set the tone for the forum by stating, "The openness of traditional medicine is not only about embracing global perspectives but also about welcoming technological advancements and innovative methodologies." Wang highlighted that TCM is both a cultural treasure of China and a cornerstone of global traditional medicine. She called for a deeper integration of TCM with modern medicine to nurture healthcare professionals and promote high-quality education with a global impact. Keynote presentations delved into the challenges and opportunities within traditional medicine education. WHO official Liu Qin outlined the organization's Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-34, which underlines modernizing traditional practices and aligning them with international healthcare standards. Liu stressed the importance of integrating traditional medicine education into health workforce training, which in turn can strengthen health systems. Adding to the discussion, BUCM President Tang Zhishu presented an ambitious vision for advancing TCM higher education. He emphasized the need to cultivate top-tier physicians, leverage advanced technology and foster international partnerships to drive growth. Tang also advocated for digitizing educational frameworks to meet the demands of the digital era and incorporating interdisciplinary approaches into curricula to enhance learning outcomes. In China, the cultivation of TCM practitioners is supported by an integrated training system that connects undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing education, with mentorship as a foundational element. According to the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 486 universities in China currently offer TCM-related programs, including 26 dedicated undergraduate TCM colleges. Enrollment figures indicate 270,000 students are pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in TCM, with an additional 80,000 enrolled in Chinese pharmacy programs. Cultivating high-quality traditional medicine professionals is not only an important issue for China, but also for countries around the world. Ramón María Calduch, Chairman of the European Foundation for Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine, discussed Europe's advancements in traditional medicine education. He outlined efforts to refine regulations, improve faculty training and merge academic research with clinical practice, all aimed at improving the field's credibility and its integration into healthcare systems. "When promoting traditional medical education, transformation is an inevitable challenge," Wang Jiabo, Dean of the School of TCM at Capital Medical University in Beijing, pointed out during a discussion panel. Each country's traditional medicine evolves within its own cultural and historical context, leading to distinct characteristics and notable cultural differences. Overcoming these differences through communication is fundamental for fostering meaningful international collaboration, he said. The Beijing Declaration adopted at the close of the conference calls on governments, health and education administrators, and private institutions worldwide to increase investments in funding and human resources, aiming to cultivate a greater number of qualified professionals in the field of traditional medicine. (Print Edition Title: Ancient Wisdom, Modern Cures) Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon Comments to zhaowei@cicgamericas.com |
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