The Philippine Qi Huang Traditional Chinese Medicine Institute (PQHTCMI) held its inaugural graduation ceremony at the Metropolitan Medical Center in Manila on Oct. 23, 2024.
Around 100 people attended the event, including leaders from the Filipino-Chinese community, faculty, students and their families.
Dr. Zheng Qiming, executive president of PQHTCMI, announced the graduation of 12 students from the first batch.
Among them, seven received qualifications as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners, three were certified in acupuncture and two earned certifications in Chinese herbal medicine dispensing.
Dr. Zheng encouraged the graduates to blend the wisdom of Chinese medicine with local healthcare practices in the Philippines and emphasized their potential to enhance community well-being.
Zhou Zhiyong, Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, congratulated the graduates and underscored the significance of TCM in disease prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
He described TCM as a “valuable treasure of Chinese civilization” and expressed hope that the graduates would utilize their knowledge to contribute positively to the health of the Filipino people.
Former Philippine Health Secretary and PQHTCMI honorary president Dr. Jean Rosell-Ubial expressed optimism on the future integration of TCM into the Philippine national healthcare system.
She welcomed the first batch of graduates and envisions a strong role for TCM in national medical practices.
Established by the China-Philippines Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, PQHTCMI opened its doors in October 2021.
The institute serves as a training base for the Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s “TCM Going Global” initiative, employing a collaborative teaching model that includes instructors from both China and the Philippines.
The program aims to produce qualified local practitioners, acupuncturists and herbal medicine dispensers through a comprehensive curriculum of three to five years, incorporating both theoretical and practical experiences.
