Governor Gwen Garcia led the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on February 14 at the Cebu Provincial Social Hall during the Gala Night, marking a significant step toward healthcare innovation.
The MOU was signed by key leaders in the medical and academic fields, including Professor Li Candong, President of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (FUTCM); Dr. Qi Ming, President of Philippine Traditional Chinese Medicine (PTCM); Dr. Daniel A. Ariaso, President of Cebu Normal University-Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center College of Medicine Consortium (CNU-VSMMC); Dr. Gerardo M. Aquino Jr., Chief of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC); and Ma. Teresa Iñigo, Director General of the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC).
This agreement aims to integrate Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into conventional medical education in Cebu. It includes plans for knowledge exchange and joint educational programs that combine traditional practices with modern medicine. The MOU also supports the inclusion of TCM in both undergraduate medical courses and post-graduate programs, like residency and fellowship opportunities, to improve healthcare services in the province and across the country.
The collaboration seeks to offer a more comprehensive healthcare approach, blending both traditional and modern treatments for Filipino patients. This historic agreement marks a new chapter in the integration of TCM into Cebu’s healthcare system. | 𝐉𝐌𝐓