Indo-China Medical Exchange programme of Chennai Doctor successfully completed

In mid December of the year 2019, a team of elite acupuncturists of the Acupuncture Association of India (AAI) visited the Kunming, Yunnan province in China for the exchange program arranged by the Chinese Consulate of Kolkata. I (Prof. Dr.  D. R.  Rajesh Verma, State Representative of AAI, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India) was fortunate to be a part of this exchange program and learn more about Traditional Chinese Medicine from the land of it's origin. 
We were gladly received by Mr. Sun Yonglin, Dean of International Education College of Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine , Professors  and International Exchange Department of International Education College of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming. On the first day of visit, they showed us in and around the university and we got the opportunity to visit the historic museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine where I was delighted to learn about the history of TCM supported by the numerous scriptures that were present there alongwith the seven types of the ancient needles that were used at that time. 
The exchange program began zestfully with the lectures and practical sessions that were taught to us by the Senior Professors of the university. Many topics were covered such as treatment of Cervical Spondylosis, Advanced  International Clean Needle Techniques and Treatment of Facial Paralysis by Prof. Zili Liu. Multiple clinical observations in many affiliated hospitals, guided by Assoc. Prof. Jianwen Wei, were also conducted to enhance our understanding and to help us observe how TCM is practised in China. I was pleased to share my knowledge and experience on the Palliative Management of Cancer. I also showed how Acupuncture camps were conducted by our organization in India  by sharing pictures and video of Acupuncture  treatment  for various chronic diseases for which they appreciated the lecture and treatment protocol followed by us.  The Professors of the University were delighted to know that Indian doctors and therapists are also practicing Acupuncture by sharing Clinical data. AAI publishes journal in India to share their Scientific and Research papers for improving the knowledge of the upcoming Acupuncturists in India.
In this Medical Exchange Program, various treatments in Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Cupping, Electro-Acupuncture, and Blood letting were demonstrated. We were exposed to the innovative technologies like Sonopuncture, Electrotherapy, laser beam therapy and many other Acupuncture treatments were seen in the medical exchange program in China. Additionally, we also came across herbal facemasks that the patients undergoing cosmetic acupuncture used regularly in their  hospital visits. We also visited Yunnan Baiyao, which is a one of the largest pharmaceutical company, where we witnessed the manufacturing as well as production process of traditional medicines that are used in the hospitals. 
Since it was an exchange program, Chief acupuncturists of the Kunming Municipal Hospital also asked us questions about our practice in India and I was also asked  by the doctors to diagnose patients with conditions like Bell's Palsy, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Cervical Spondylosis, Speech disorders and many chronic conditions and I gave my perspective on treating such conditions. The university faculty offered us an in-depth understanding and several illustrations related to TCM and Ms. Li Hong, Vice General Manager and Ms. Tan Chang, Vice General Manager of Yunnan Foreign Service Center of Foreign Affairs Office of People's Government of Yunnan Province hosted a farewell Party with a fun-filled cultural event. 
For sightseeing we went to the Ethnic Village and Stone Forest of Kunming and ventured through the vast array of colours and flavours that the town offered us. Dali, located in the Yunnan province, was the next stop in our journey. It is a picturesque location and the historic centre of China as it displays beauty through it's Buddhist temple and Dali lake. It was great to meet people of a very different culture and language from us and we learnt a lot in the whole process. 
In conclusion, the exchange program didn't just teach me about Traditional Chinese Medicine but also allowed me to explore the country and it's people and helped me realise how pleasing it can be to come together as people and establish the exigency and eminence of acupuncture across the globe. 

Prof.  Dr. D. R.  Rajesh Verma
State Representative of AAI, 
Chennai,  Tamilnadu,  India