TCM experts set to come to Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu will host another health summit featuring professors from the Fujian University on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) who will share their expertise with local medical personnel.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia confirmed during a press conference last Friday that Fujian University in China has formally expressed interest in visiting Cebu, sending a letter to her office to inquire about scheduling their trip.

Garcia stated that while the exact date of the summit has yet to be finalized, she is keen on organizing the event as soon as possible to maximize its benefits for Cebu's medical community.

The governor also expressed her interest in TCM, noting its similarities to the alternative and traditional healthcare practices in the Philippines.

“We are putting together a schedule for the Fujian University professors that will be coming over in order to share their knowledge,” said Garcia.

TCM experts will be traveling to Cebu to give lectures and conduct live demonstrations, providing valuable hands-on learning experiences for local medical practitioners and personnel.

Garcia further emphasized her interest in adopting TCM, highlighting that its reliance on medicinal plants and herbs aligns well with local resources, as these can be easily grown and cultivated even in backyard settings.

Garcia also sees a valuable opportunity to integrate TCM into the Capitol’s Sugbusog Program, which promotes backyard gardening and provides training for barangay health workers in Cebu on alternative healthcare practices.

“And what is it? It’s readily accessible especially to our poor because they can always plant herbs and other plants in treating cold, cough, flu, and ‘tuob’ (steam inhalation),” said Garcia.

The Capitol’s Sugbusog Program is set to expand its focus, not only promoting food security across the province but also nurturing medicinal plants that can address common diseases.

This initiative aims to provide an affordable healthcare alternative, particularly in rural areas, offering a valuable resource for communities.

Garcia believes that learning TCM can provide a practical solution for those who cannot afford to visit drugstores or hospitals, often opting to spend their money on daily living expenses rather than healthcare.

“Nobody saves up for a medical emergency or you get sick because they would rather first spend on the basics rice, education of their children, and all of these,” said Garcia.

Garcia also hopes that Department of Health-7 regional director Dr. Jaime Bernadas will take part in the upcoming event, noting his strong interest in health and wellness.

The governor also pointed out that instead of relying solely on chemical-based pills and capsules, there are alternative options available such as TCM which could provide a more natural approach to healthcare.

Garcia also defended the effectiveness of TCM, emphasizing that it has been proven to be as effective and much healthier, as it has been practiced for thousands of years, long before pharmaceutical companies came into existence.

“TCM is worth treating emperors, and these are knowledge that have been preserved through the centuries and proven to be effective,” said Garcia.

The collaboration between Cebu Province and Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of understanding during Garcia's visit to Fujian, China, last November.

To recall, the Cebu Provincial Government also hosted a Health Summit in partnership with Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center Cancer Center last August 2024.

The summit was an avenue for the sharing of best practices between the Napalkov Cancer Center of St. Petersburg, led by its director, Dr. Vladimir Mikhailovich Moiseyenko, and the VSMMC Cancer Center. (CEBU NEWS)