“China-Rwanda Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Treatment Center,” is a new sign hanging at the Inner Mongolia medical team's treatment area in Muhima's Kigali suburb, at Masaka Hospital. This sign not only marks the establishment of Rwanda's first TCM center but also commemorates over four decades of Inner Mongolian medical personnel practicing with benevolence and skill on African soil, building deep friendships while alleviating illnesses for the local population.
Rwanda, known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” sees its people walking mountain paths regularly, which can easily lead to limb and joint injuries. To address this, TCM doctors from the medical aid team have developed an effective acupuncture treatment plan. After patients experiencing these treatments found that acupuncture could alleviate their symptoms, word spread quickly, and the patient base expanded. Acupuncture has since gained increasing attention and popularity among locals. As early as September 19, 2023, with permission from the Rwandan Ministry of Health and strong support from Masaka Hospital, the “Rwanda Acupuncture and TCM Treatment Center” was established.
In December 2023, Dr. An Lingfei, deputy director of the Department of Traumatology at the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, arrived in Kigali as part of the 24th Chinese (Inner Mongolia) Medical Team Aid Rwanda. Based on a thorough understanding of Masaka Hospital and the local patient situation, he and other TCM doctors expanded the TCM treatment offerings, providing appropriate TCM services that are simple, effective, and affordable to local residents. With support from various parties, the “China-Rwanda TCM Treatment Center” officially changed its name and hung a new sign on December 19, 2023. Thus, Rwanda now has a TCM treatment center offering services including acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, physiotherapy, oblique round-bladed needle therapy, and manipulative treatments for muscle and bone misalignment.
After its establishment, the treatment center immediately became popular among local patients, with long queues forming outside the clinic every day as people eagerly awaited their chance to experience the “magical Eastern medical art.”
“Currently, the center treats nearly 30 patients per day on average, with the majority suffering from lower back pain, degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee and ankle joints, and some with other chronic musculoskeletal conditions. TCM has significant advantages in treating these diseases, with very good results,” explained Dr. An Lingfei.
“TCM is fantastic; if I weren't so old, I'd love to go to China to study it.” These were the heartfelt words of 60-year-old Naomi after nearly a month of comprehensive TCM treatment by Dr. An Lingfei. When she first came for treatment, her left limb had limited mobility, and she experienced significant pain in both knees and ankles, making it difficult for her to walk or change positions independently. She can now walk around her home with the assistance of a walker, demonstrating remarkable improvement.
Another male patient came to the center due to six years of lower back pain and bilateral hip joint pain. Despite visiting multiple hospitals in Rwanda over those six years and undergoing various tests without any clear diagnosis or relief, his pain significantly impacted his quality of life. On a friend's recommendation, he sought help from the Chinese medical team's TCM doctors. After a thorough examination and analysis of the causes of his lower back and bilateral hip pain by Dr. An Lingfei, the patient received acupuncture combined with massage therapy for the bilateral lesser gluteal muscles. Initially skeptical, the patient decided to give it a try. After three treatments, his symptoms improved markedly, with the pain in both hips disappearing and only mild lower back pain remaining. He exclaimed, “TCM is incredible, it's simply magical.”
In the months since its establishment, the growing recognition and enthusiasm of local patients for TCM efficacy have outpaced the existing TCM medical services. To meet this demand, Dr. An Lingfei and his teammates often work overtime.
He said, “It's better to teach someone how to fish than to give them a fish. Many physicians at Masaka Hospital have already shown great interest in TCM and are willing to learn TCM knowledge and techniques from the medical team at the treatment center. The medical team will spare no effort in conducting TCM talent training at the TCM treatment center, cultivating TCM talent among local doctors, allowing TCM to take root and flourish on African soil and spreading TCM culture further and wider.”
In addition to providing medical services to the people of Rwanda, the TCM treatment center also fulfills the healthcare needs of the Chinese embassy, Chinese-funded institutions, and local Chinese expatriates. The establishment of this center has planted a “seed” of TCM assistance abroad, helping more and more Rwandans achieve health and increasing awareness of TCM and Chinese traditional culture among the local population.
Contributors: Duan Guodong, Yan Long
Editor: Zhang Zhiyuan