Traditional Chinese Medicine finds foothold in Rwanda

An Lingfei provides Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapy for patients in Rwanda. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

When An Lingfei, a senior doctor from the Inner Mongolia medical team in Rwanda, arrived in the capital city of Kigali, he set up a center in the Masaka District Hospital. He began carrying out TCM treatment last December. Since then, the China-Rwanda Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Diagnosis and Treatment Center has increased in popularity.

According to An, the center now receives an average of more than 30 people daily, with the majority of patients suffering from lower back pain or degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee and ankle joints. There have been cases of other chronic musculoskeletal diseases as well.

Rwanda is known as the land of a thousand hills. Locals often have to walk on mountain roads year-round, which can lead to joint and muscle stress.

"TCM has great advantages in treating these diseases, and the effect is very good," An said.

The center now provides acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, physical therapy and massage-related TCM therapy, allowing local people to experience Eastern medicine, An added.

Patients wait outside a clinic for treatment using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Kigali, Rwanda. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Naomin, a 60-year-old patient, is impressed. She was unable to walk normally and unable to change positions on her own because she had significant pain in both knees and ankles.

After a month of treatment at the center, she is now able to walk at home with a walking aid. The treatment has been a huge help, she said.

Another patient, Mukagatare, attributes his TCM treatment to the disappearance of his hip pain after three treatments.

According to him, doctors had previously been unable to find any apparent abnormalities after various examinations at the local hospitals. They had been unable to make a clear diagnosis, let alone alleviate symptoms.

In addition to treating patients, the center educates locals about TCM and Chinese culture.

An Lingfei provides Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapy for patients in Rwanda. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]