Activities in other countries
Dr. Brodsky in India in December 2006
Dr. Marc Brodsky was part of a medical team from Yale University, University of Illinois, and UCLA, that provided free care in the remote villages of Nagaland, India, in December 2006. About a century ago, the Nagas were ferocious headhunters prior to colonization of the area by the British and widespread conversion to Christianity. Until recently, the state of Nagaland was inaccessible to foreigners because of insurgency movements.
The medical team worked in conjunction with a local physician who serves as the World Health Organization representative for Northeast India. The team ran a clinic in support of a festival that attracted approximately 2500 people to Aonokpu village. These villagers had very limited access to medical care. A 3-hour travel is required to reach the nearest town where a meager pharmacy is located.
Several hundred appreciative patients received check-ups, medications, and preventive counseling on topics such as HIV, food and water bourne illnesses, and the ill effects of chewing the locally popular beatlenut. East-West medicine that included acupuncture and instruction on self-acupressure was also enthusiastically received.
CEWM group at International Conference in Melbourne
Dr. Ka-Kit Hui presented a keynote address, "Positive Health System Transformation May Benefit from the Emergent Paradigm of Integrative Medicine: a US Perspective" to an international audience gathered at “Harmonisation of Traditional and Modern Medicine: An International Symposium,” convened by RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, December 12-14, 2005. Recently designated a WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine, RMIT University’s Division of Chinese Medicine launched the Symposium to address “issues critical to public safety and confidence in herbal medicine, including quality assurance, efficacy, safety, developing a scientific evidence base for herbal therapies, education of healthcare practitioners and consumers, and regulation of herbal medicine.” Dr. Ming Dong Li also attended the conference.
Furthering the East-West Center’s work at the international level, Drs. Hui and Li conducted productive meetings with Professor Jing She, Vice Minister of Health/Director General, State Administration of TCM, China, Ms. Xiao Pin Wang, Deputy Director General, Department of International Cooperation of State Administration of TCM, and others about collaborations with leading academic institutions in China. Drs. Hui and Li also met with leaders from Monash University, RMIT, and Melbourne University to foster collaboration in teaching and research in the area of Chinese medicine.
Dr. Bill Tu's medical trip in Central Asia
In November 2005, Dr. Tu participated in a 2 week medical trip to Central Asia with Medical Education International. The team’s role was to provide service to the local country through medical education. Thus, the team was involved in teaching medical residents in a local family practice program. This included teaching through morning report, on rounds, and through procedures.
Dr. Yie lectured in Korea
In October, 2005, Dr. Sue Yie flew to Korea to participate in the International Oriental Medicine Conference. At the conference, she made a presentation on improving quality of elderly care through integrative medicine. Also at the invitation from Wonkwang University Medical School, Dr Yie gave a lecture to its medical students and staff regarding geriatrics and integrative medicine. During her stay in Korea, she has lectured in various places including Won-Buddhist temple and Wonkwang geriatric hospital regarding well-being and nutrition for the general public. Wonkwang University appointed her as the chief consultant Geriatrician for its Geriatric hospital.
Dr. Brodsky in Nigeria in August, 2005
Dr. Marc Brodsky was part of an 18-person medical team that was organized by the Anambra State Organization of the United States of America (ASA-USA) to deliver free medical services to the citizens of Anambra State, Nigeria. The team treated over 4000 patients in Awka, Onitsha, and Ekwulobia towns from August 15-19, 2005
An appropriate blend of medications, acupuncture treatments, instruction on self-massage, and lifestyle counseling was well received by Dr. Brodsky’s patients. The value of traditional medicine is appreciated in Africa, where up to 80 percent of the population uses traditional medicine for primary health care. In Nigeria, the first line of treatment for 60 percent of children with high fever resulting from malaria is the use of herbal medicines at home.
Aside from the patients who benefited from their treatments, Dr. Brodsky shared the Center’s vision with the Anambra State Governor, Commissioner of Public Health, local physicians and allied health professionals, and the media. ASA-USA leaders noted that the popularity of the East-West treatments will shape the organization’s plans to help Anambra State improve its health care system.
February 26-28, 2005: Dr. Hui gave a lecture on “ Challenges in Integrative Medicine Practice and Education” at the International Congress on Complementary and Alternative Medicines (ICCAM) 2005 in Singapore.
November 21-24, 2003: Dr. Hui, Dr. Brodsky, and Dr. Tu participated as plenary speakers and symposium panelists at The First World Congress on Chinese Medicine at Melbourne, Australia. The conference is jointly organized by RMIT University (Melbourne, Australia) and Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Nanjing, China).