Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia hosted a spectacular Gala Night for the participants of the recently concluded Cebu Health Summit on Asian Traditional Medicine at the Cebu Provincial Social Hall.
The event marked the closing of a three-day summit attended by leading experts in traditional medicine from China, India, and the Philippines.
Governor Garcia expressed her gratitude to the Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine for reaching out to the Cebu Provincial Government. She acknowledged the university's initiative to share its expertise on traditional Chinese medicine, particularly during the pandemic. Governor Garcia highlighted the significance of traditional healing practices like "steam inhalation" or "toub," which she championed as an affordable and accessible remedy for many Cebuanos, especially during the challenging times of the pandemic.
“Dr. Li Candong, thank you for giving me that ease of the burden that I was carrying in my determined effort to look for a balance, to look for a way that I could help for those people who voted for me,” said Governor Garcia, referring to Dr. Li Candong, the President of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The summit, held at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), brought together distinguished experts in Asian traditional medicine. Dr. Li Candong led the Chinese delegation, with medical professionals from India, the Philippines, and representatives from the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) also in attendance. PITAHC's involvement further emphasized the Philippine government's commitment to incorporating traditional medicine into the national healthcare system.
The summit aimed to foster collaboration and dialogue between countries practicing traditional medicine, focusing on sharing best practices, advancing treatment methods, and exploring how traditional and modern healthcare can complement each other. This collaboration seeks to ensure the integration of time-honored healing practices with modern medical innovations to benefit patients worldwide.
Dr. Qiming Zheng, Chief Consultant at the Philippine Traditional Chinese Medicine Center, Inc., expressed his hope for a lasting collaboration. “I believe this summit will be the beginning of lasting cooperation, one that combines the wisdom of Asian medicine with the innovation of modern healthcare for the benefit of all,” he stated.
Dr. Li Candong also highlighted the importance of the event, saying, “It is very helpful for the future development of medicine, and I think this summit has done a great job promoting exchanges between two provinces and cultures. This is very important for the people.”
Governor Garcia concluded the evening with a powerful message about the future of traditional medicine in the Philippines. “I just hope that now, now that there finally is a center for alternative healthcare, for traditional Chinese medicine, and Ayurvedic medicine, right here in Cebu, that those who had previously shunned or ostracized traditional healthcare will realize that there need not be a divide. We can harmonize and enhance our efforts to help our fellow human beings,” she said.
The Cebu Health Summit on Asian Traditional Medicine marked a significant milestone in promoting the integration of traditional healing practices into the province’s healthcare system, setting the stage for further collaboration and growth in this field. | JMT