The hospital is serving people from local to global for more than half a century
By Mewati Sitaram – Beijing
On invitation from Dongzhimen Hospital and hosted by China International Press Communication Center (CIPCC), we international journalists from South East Asia and Africa, including me, visited this hospital. We were taken around by the hospital management to show its facilities. Indeed, we were really impressed to understand their services preserving age-old medicine facilities intact and taking it to the next level.
The official opening ceremony of visiting journalists was performed by Wang Xian, President of Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese medicine, held at the conference room of the international department. Other dignitaries who spoke and briefed about the history of the hospital included Wang Yaoxian – Vice President of Beijing University of Chinese medicine and Wu Zhendou – Director General of International Co-Operation department of National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Soon after the opening ceremony, we were taken to many departments and showcased their available facilities. In the laboratory we were shown old Chinese medicine which was really amazing. The respective professors of the departments explained to us complete details and benefits of medicines.
We could assess that Chinese medicines are the treasure of ancient medical science and the key to open the treasure house of Chinese civilization. During our visit we observed that Dongzhimen Hospital is keen and determined to pass on, make good use and develop Chinese medicines and let medicine contribute “Chinese Wisdom” to building a health community for human beings. Dongzhimen hospital has been affiliated with the State administration of TCM and provides a major research centre for TCM and integration of Traditional and Western medicine.
Pakistani Journalist Saud Faisal Malik going through Moxibustion treatment (Photo Mewati Sitaram).
We all journalists were really impressed with advanced treatment, initiated through age old traditions. Indeed, it’s really effective, despite the fact that the modern medical system has developed manifolds. The importance of hospitals can be gauged by the number of visitors who visit here to be treated. On a daily basis more than 4,600 daily outpatient visits this hospital. The number of OPD visitors speaks its volume for itself. The local and international patients have faith in this hospital which is carrying on age old legacy and traditions uninterruptedly for betterment of society.
During our visit here, the hospital administration showed us their various departments for self-assessment. To get first-hand experience of their facilities, they also treated us by showcasing their services. We all journalists were taken to the Acupuncture department where they used this technique on many journalists, who were keen to understand its benefit. Acupuncture is a Chinese method of treating pain and illness using special thin needles which are pushed into the skin in particular parts of the body. I myself tried acupuncture and was really satisfied; my body pain was relieved. Surprisingly, I didn’t get any pain, while needles were inserted in my body. Thereafter, they showed us Moxibustion treatment. In Moxibustion Eastern medicine, it’s a practice of burning a cone or cylinder of downy or woolly material derived from various plants on the skin for its counter irritant effect. It is very effective to relieve pain from parts of your body. The third form treatment was Tuina, a form of Chinese deep massage in which the body is pushed and twisted instead of being stroked or rubbed
It may be noted that Dongzhimen Hospital was established in 1958 and has become popular and well- known in China and overseas. It has astonished its time-honoured history, prestigious experts boasting superb medical skills, and quality medical services based on the continuous efforts by generations of physicians over more than six decades.
TCM hospital has become a large, modern general hospital performing integrative functions of medical service, education and scientific research. Hospitals long history of development. It enjoys a well-structured team of senior TCM physicians known both at home and abroad. The team physicians have refined medical techniques, a group of middle-aged physicians with rich experience and excellent skills. Besides, there are a large number of outstanding young doctors with strong medical backgrounds and enthusiasm for progress.
The author is being treated by Doctor Tuina, a form of Chinese deep massage.
As a top-grade first-class TCM hospital, it has become a large, modern general hospital performing integrative functions of medical service, education and scientific research. Thanks to its long history of development, the Hospital enjoys a well-structured team of senior TCM physicians known both at home and abroad with refined medical skills, a group of middle-aged physicians with rich experience and excellent skills, and a large number of outstanding young doctors with strong medical background and enthusiasm for progress.
After going through an extensive internal visit and self-experiencing the ancient treatment methods at Dongzhimen Hospital, I am really impressed. I would strongly recommend to my fellow countrymen and global guests to visit this hospital and get relieved from your various diseases, which are treated by expert physicians and medical fraternities.
I am really highly impressed with the services and treatment of Dongzhimen Hospital, but felt a little pinch. After spending half day from morning till lunch hour in the hospital, we were neither offered any refreshment or lunch. It’s a lack of hospitality to international journalists who have come from various parts of the world. It’s not a complaint but a small point to be noted.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
