On April 3, Xinhua reported that a senior Sudanese military officer named Mohamed had visited a Chinese clinic inside the presidential palace in Khartoum and felt that the pain in his knee joint was gone after receiving treatment from what he called “the magic needle room.” The clinic has been operating for two decades, providing medical assistance to Sudan with the help of consecutive teams of Chinese doctors.
According to Mohamed, the therapy he received was a form of “warm needle acupuncture,” which he found to be amazing and magical. Before the treatment, Mohamed’s left knee was sensitive to environmental coldness, a symptom known as Cold Arthralgia in traditional Chinese medicine. The acupuncturist at the clinic treated his knee with fire needles applied at strategic points on the body.
The practice of “warm needle acupuncture” has a long history that dates back to China’s Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD) and has been proven to be effective in treating certain pains in the body. Mohamed’s experience at the clinic was so positive that he recommended the “magic needle treatment” to his fellow soldiers.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical practice that involves the insertion of thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body. It is believed that this practice helps to balance the flow of energy in the body and promote healing. In recent years, acupuncture has become increasingly popular around the world, and many people have reported positive results from this form of treatment.
The Chinese clinic in Khartoum is just one example of how traditional Chinese medicine is being used to help people in other parts of the world. The Chinese government has been sending medical teams to countries in need for many years, providing assistance and sharing their expertise in acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other traditional practices.
Overall, Mohamed’s positive experience with “warm needle acupuncture” at the Chinese clinic in Khartoum highlights the potential benefits of traditional Chinese medicine and the importance of cross-cultural exchange in the field of healthcare.
Every workday, the clinic receives a considerable influx of patients seeking traditional Chinese therapy. The treatment consists of a combination of acupuncture and moxibustion, where an herb is burned above the skin to stimulate the acupuncture points or affected area. The straightforward procedures of these treatments and their effectiveness are widely known.
Abdelaziz Ahmed Sadd, the director of the medical unit at the Sudanese presidential palace, has been collaborating with numerous Chinese doctors at the clinic for over two decades. He praises TCM’s effectiveness, which is gaining popularity among the Sudanese. He told Xinhua that Chinese acupuncture is an efficient treatment with outstanding results, with most patients showing significant improvement in their symptoms and reduced use of medical drugs.
According to Sadd, acupuncture provides numerous physical and psychological benefits such as pain relief, easing depression and allergy, and curing facial paralysis and stroke. He believes that China is a pioneer in acupuncture treatment, with a globally recognized method that has contributed significantly to the medical field.
Sadd expresses his hope for increased cooperation between China and Sudan in the medical domains in the future. He believes that China’s expertise in TCM can bring significant advancements in medical treatment to Sudan. With the increasing acceptance of TCM in Sudan, such collaborations could be a significant step towards making traditional medicine more accessible to a broader audience.
Sadd’s statement aligns with the global recognition of TCM and its benefits, which have been acknowledged worldwide. Its effectiveness has been studied in various medical trials, and it has gained significant acceptance in Western countries as well. The integration of TCM into modern medical practices could be a significant step towards providing holistic and effective healthcare solutions.
The clinic’s success in providing TCM treatment to patients showcases its commitment to traditional medicine and its potential to be integrated into modern healthcare practices. As TCM gains wider acceptance globally, it could provide a cost-effective and practical solution to treat various ailments.
An Peng, a Chinese doctor and standing committee member at the China Association for Acupuncture and Moxibustion General Hospital branch, has been working at a clinic in Sudan for about 4 months. He mentioned that most Sudanese patients would express their gratitude and say, “Good job, Chinese friend,” after receiving treatment at the clinic. The clinic is one of the facilities where An and other Chinese doctors provide Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) services in Sudan.
Aside from the clinic, the Chinese doctors also offer TCM services at the China-Sudan Omdurman Friendship Hospital located near Khartoum and the Abu Osher Hospital in central Sudan’s Gezira State. These TCM services include acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, and Chinese herbal medicine. Patients in Sudan have shown a growing interest in TCM as an alternative treatment method, and An and his colleagues aim to make it more accessible to them.
To promote TCM, the Chinese doctors have conducted volunteer events to provide free services to the Sudanese. In July 2022, they held an event at the Maiguma Orphanage in Khartoum, the largest orphanage in Sudan, with around 300 orphans. There, they taught the teachers how to use Chinese pediatric massage to treat indigestion and common illnesses of the children. Pediatric massage has a long history in TCM and is an essential part of it. It is believed that by stimulating children’s specific acupoints using particular techniques, it could cure or prevent certain diseases.
An and his colleagues hope to introduce TCM to more people in Sudan and increase their understanding of the practice. They believe that TCM, as a holistic approach to healthcare, can provide patients with an alternative or complementary treatment method to Western medicine. By providing TCM services and teaching others how to use it, they aim to improve the overall health of the Sudanese people.
The orphanage features a poster of a famous proverb by Arab poet Abolfath Bosti that reads, “a seed can blossom and bear fruits, spreading beauty everywhere.” This phrase has great significance in describing the altruistic deeds of Chinese doctors who have provided free medical services in Sudan since 1971. The medical teams have shared friendship and love from China with the Sudanese people.
The arrival of the first group of Chinese doctors in Sudan in 1971 marked the start of a long-standing relationship between China and the African country. Since then, China has dispatched 37 medical teams to Sudan, consisting of over 1,100 medical professionals. The statistics indicate that the teams have treated around 8 million patients in Sudan and performed more than 200,000 significant surgical procedures.
The Chinese doctors’ efforts have played an instrumental role in providing much-needed medical care to the Sudanese population, who have faced many challenges. Their selfless service has helped to enhance the well-being of people living in the country. Additionally, the medical teams’ presence has fostered a strong bond of friendship between China and Sudan, promoting a sense of unity between the two countries.
The poster’s proverb serves as a beautiful metaphor for the Chinese doctors’ service in Sudan. The doctors have been like seeds that have bloomed and borne fruit, spreading beauty and hope wherever they go. Their contributions have positively impacted the lives of millions of Sudanese people, and their legacy will continue to inspire future generations to follow in their footsteps.
In conclusion, the proverb on the orphanage wall holds great relevance in describing the Chinese doctors’ deeds in Sudan. Their unwavering commitment to providing medical care to those in need has been truly remarkable, and their service will always be remembered as a shining example of human compassion and selflessness.