Source: Xinhua News Agency
Members of the medical team work in a traditional Chinese medicine clinic at Katutura Hospital in Windhoek, Namibia, on September 9. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Cheng
WINDHOEK, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- At 7:30 a.m. on the opening day, the traditional Chinese medicine clinic at Katutura Hospital in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, had just opened, and the waiting line had already lined up from the front desk to the corridor. This is the norm in TCM clinic work.
Since 1996, China has been sending medical teams to Namibia, consisting of four TCM physicians and two nurses, to sit in the TCM clinic of Windhoek Katutura Hospital.
On September 9, members of the medical team performed acupuncture treatment on patients in the TCM clinic at Katutura Hospital in Windhoek, Namibia. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Cheng
"There are dozens of people, and there are nearly 100 people." Li Bangwei, captain of the 15th batch of China's medical team to Namibia, told Xinhua News Agency that the medical team is characterized by traditional Chinese medicine, and its good curative effect has conquered local patients. From Namibia's founding president, Nujoma, to former President Geingob, to many ordinary people who have been treated to stay away from their illnesses, they are all spokespersons and promoters of traditional Chinese medicine.
At the beginning of the clinic, the medical team received more than 1,000 visits a year. Today, the 15th batch of medical teams has received tens of thousands of patients every year. "The medical team has a heavy workload, with more than 18,000 patients diagnosed and treated in the past year and a half, and sometimes the team members even stick to the front line when they are sick." Li Bangwei said.
On September 9, members of the medical team performed acupuncture treatment on patients in the TCM clinic at Katutura Hospital in Windhoek, Namibia. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Cheng
The significant increase in the number of consultations is the inevitable result of the recognition of local patients for TCM's characteristic treatments, and it is also a proof that TCM culture has been accepted by local people. At present, TCM has officially entered the Namibian medical insurance system, and commercial insurance companies can reimburse medical insurance accordingly. The inclusion of TCM in the medical insurance not only means that TCM is recognized by local peers, but also brings convenience to local patients.
Former Namibian Minister of Health and Social Services Bernard · Hauffiku suffered a sprained back, and he immediately chose to come to the TCM clinic for acupuncture treatment, and after 5 treatments, he fully recovered. For this reason, Hauffiku specially recorded a video to thank the Chinese doctors. He said that some young Namibian doctors should be encouraged to study and further their studies in China so as to better benefit the Namibian people.
On September 9, patients wait at the entrance of a traditional Chinese medicine clinic at Katutura Hospital in Windhoek, Namibia. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Cheng
Ambrosius, a 53-year-old football coach, is a regular visitor to the TCM clinic. "At that time, I had a serious problem with my leg, and the Western doctor recommended that I have an amputation, which I couldn't accept at all." He happened to see a report about the Chinese medical team in the local newspaper, so he walked into the TCM clinic with the idea of giving it a try, and since then he has formed an indissoluble bond with TCM.
Ambrosius said that after TCM acupuncture treatment, he not only saved his leg, but can now ride a bicycle slowly. "I can continue my career as a football coach because it was the Chinese doctors who saved me."
On September 9, at Katutura Hospital in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, Li Bangwei, the leader of the 15th batch of China-aided Namibian medical team, checked the patient's information. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Cheng
Local tennis, volleyball, table tennis and track and field athletes also often come to the TCM clinic for treatment. Blaising, a rehabilitation physiotherapist at Katutura Hospital, told reporters that he had recommended hundreds of patients who had been suffering from pain for a long time to go to Chinese doctors for treatment. "They feel that the miraculous acupuncture treatment is more effective than taking painkillers. The patient told me that after a course of 3 to 5 days of treatment, his condition improved significantly. ”
The Chinese medical team not only brings "magical" acupuncture treatment to local patients, but also spreads traditional Chinese culture in their spare time.
Members of the medical team pose for a photo with Ambrosius at Katutura Hospital in Windhoek, Namibia, on February 12. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Cheng
"Every traditional Chinese holiday, in addition to doing our own work, we also actively spread traditional Chinese culture. During the Spring Festival, we put Spring Festival couplets outside the clinic, and give out sachets to patients during the Dragon Boat Festival. Yao Dan, a nurse in the medical team, said.
The medical team was also invited to visit the Chinese teaching sites opened by the Confucius Institute at the University of Namibia in many local primary and secondary schools, using acupuncture and fire pots as teaching aids, and using traditional Chinese medicine culture as the content, allowing students to immerse themselves in Chinese learning, which was well received by teachers and students.
On February 12, Yao Dan, a nurse from the medical team, introduced traditional Chinese culture to patients in the traditional Chinese medicine clinic at Katutura Hospital in Windhoek, Namibia. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Cheng
Eliza·beth Bam, principal of Chairman Mao Zedong Middle School in Namibia, told reporters: "The students are very excited, and most of them, including me, are learning about and experiencing traditional Chinese medicine culture for the first time. It is hoped that through the study, students will have a better understanding of Chinese and Chinese culture. (Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Cheng)
On August 14, at a private school in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, Li Bangwei, the leader of the 15th batch of China-aided Namibian medical team, introduced the human meridians to the students in class. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Cheng