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Taiwan doctors open their first traditional clinic

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-04-21 07:55

The first Chinese medicine clinic staffed only by doctors from Taiwan has opened in the city.

Terrific Chain Chinese Herbal Clinic, in Xicheng district, has 12 doctors from the island, all of whom studied traditional Chinese medicine on the mainland, Hsieh Maoyuan, dean of the clinic, said.

"Doctors here all have a practicing certificate on the mainland, and 10 of them graduated from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine," he said.

"Because there are very few Taiwan people in Beijing, we hope to serve residents and foreigners, too."

The clinic uses traditional Chinese methods which includes diagnosis measures such as inspection, listening and smelling. Traditional treatments such as tisane, acupuncture, moxibustion and massage are also used.

Patients' medical records are computerized so there will be continuity should a doctor leave, Hsieh said.

Each consultation will take about 30 minutes and cost 100 yuan.

The doctors will help patients understand the causes and treatment of their illnesses.

Gerald Brown, an American patient, said: "Traditional Chinese medicine is amazing. I had never received any treatment like this before.

"My lumbar ache disappeared right after the treatment. I will bring my friends here."

The clinic is also providing night and weekend clinics.

"Half of patients come for night service," said Wu Yan, a clinic nurse.

Hsieh said the main problem for the clinic was the lack of policy support.

"So far, the government has no policy support in this regard," he said. "I hope the treatment costs of our patients will soon be included in health insurance so we can serve more residents."

He said the clinic also faces competition from other "famous Chinese medicine doctors" in Beijing.

However, Hsieh is optimistic about the market in the mainland.

"Beijing is the base of traditional Chinese medicine and has huge potential," he said.

"Though we have only one clinic now, we hope to develop this into a chain business and recruit excellent doctors from the mainland to take part.

"Training will be provided so the doctors will be able to adapt to the management, diagnosis and treatment pattern of the clinic."

On the separation of medical services and pharmaceutical sales, Hsieh said: "Each clinic should have its own pharmacy.

"Otherwise, it may worsen the relationship between doctors and their patients because doctors would be made responsible for disputes caused by poor quality medicine that patients had bought from a separate drug store."

METRO