Zhu Wei: Training 10 Zimbabwean acupuncture apprentices for Africa in over 1 yr

Dr.Zhu Wei, the captain of the 19th dispatch of Chinese (Hunan) Medical Team to Zimbabwe, is the deputy director and chief physician of acupuncture and massage rehabilitation department (the third department of encephalopathy) of Hunan Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine), specializing in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, massage, and small needle-knife, etc.

One late night, Dr. Zhu Wei received a video call from Richard, an international student in his traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncture class, asking for help from across the ocean. At that time, Richard was undertaking an out-call in a village of Zimbabwe, confronted with a little boy suffering from sudden abdominal pain. Through the visual call, Zhu Wei learned that the boy was experiencing extremely unbearable pain in his swollen lower abdomen and had been unable to urinate for over ten hours.

Zhu Wei promptly instructed Richard to needle several key acupuncture points on the child, including Zusanli, Sanyinjiao, Yinlingquan, and Neiguan, and apply specific acupuncture techniques. Shortly after the treatment, the child’s abdominal pain was relieved and he was able to urinate normally. The effectiveness of TCM acupuncture amazed the villagers present at the scene, and the child’s parents were grateful for the successful therapy.

"In 2022, I led the 19th medical team dispatched by China (Hunan) to Zimbabwe for the promotion of TCM acupuncture and moxibustion and the training of local talents in this field," Zhu Wei said at the just-held 7th China-Africa People's Forum and the 7th China-Africa Young Leaders Forum. He also shared his story of Sino-African friendship as the model of the medical team aiding Africa. "The local residents highly recognize traditional Chinese medicine culture. As the sole TCM acupuncturist in the medical team, I get more than 30 patients every day at the China-Zimbabwe Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Center," stated Zhu Wei.

In order to cultivate a batch of TCM acupuncture talents for Zimbabwe, Zhu Wei led the medical team to hold the first Zimbabwean TCM acupuncture talents class in July 2022.

The training courses were taught by senior experts from various higher education institutions of TCM and provincial grade-A tertiary hospitals in Hunan Province. After more than four months of theoretical study and clinical practice, the trainees have mastered the diagnosis, treatment and acupuncture operation for common diseases proficiently. In November 2022, the Vice President of Zimbabwe personally presented graduation certificates to 10 local TCM acupuncturists who successfully finished the courses.

Currently, all the ten acupuncturists can independently complete the consultation and treatment, and one of them is employed by the China-Zimbabwe Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Center.

Peter, a trainee of Zhu Wei, used natural therapy to treat patients at a small clinic before the training courses. When confronted with diverse chronic diseases in the past, he often found himself at a loss. As learned that the acupuncture center was offering classes, he immediately applied for enrollment.

After completing his training courses, Peter returned to the clinic and demonstrated a high level of proficiency in treating patients suffering from chronic pain due to back pain, arthritis, and sciatica. As a result of the positive therapeutic outcomes and favorable word-of-mouth among patients, the clinic experienced a steady increase in visitor numbers on a daily basis. Consequently, Peter decided to establish an acupuncture clinic in order to accommodate more patients.

"It fills me with great pride to have successfully treated numerous individuals suffering from long-standing ailments using TCM acupuncture," Peter recently shared with Zhu Wei. He also mentioned that the new clinic has officially commenced operations and is now catering to patients from all provinces of Zimbabwe as well as neighboring countries.

John, a participant in the acupuncture training program, resided in a local village with an unstable source of income. In July 2022, Zhu Wei visited John's village to provide complimentary medical consultations. Upon discovering the remarkable benefits of acupuncture, John promptly enrolled in TCM acupuncture training and successfully obtained his professional qualification certificate of TCM acupuncture in Zimbabwe after completing the program.

Africans Talk on TCM

Currently, John not only serves as an assistant at the China-Zimbabwe Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Center but also provides acupuncture treatment to villagers after returning home, thereby increasing his income and enhancing his family's quality of life. “I want to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Zhu Wei. Despite being back in China, he patiently addresses my inquiries. I am also deeply appreciative of the Chinese government for dispatching the medical team to aid us and for selflessly imparting TCM acupuncture knowledge to us," stated John.