STORY: Namibian doctor learns TCM to help local communities
DATELINE: Sept. 4, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:20
LOCATION: Windhoek
CATEGORY: HEALTH

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Tileinge Hapulile treating patients
2. SOUNDBITE (English): TILEINGE HAPULILE, Namibian intern TCM doctor

STORYLINE:

In the past one and a half years, Tileinge Hapulile has been learning Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to help patients in the southern African country.

Hapulile was introduced to Wang Peng, a former member of the Chinese medical team to Namibia specializing in TCM who now runs a clinic in the capital Windhoek.

SOUNDBITE (English): TILEINGE HAPULILE, Namibian intern TCM doctor
"Due to my interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine, because I come from a historically cultured family, I'm always interested in the influences of traditional medicine in general medicine. After my introduction to Dr. Peng Wang, I've been with him for one and a half years now. And due to the need, and due to the benefits I've seen of Traditional Chinese Medicine in my one and a half years, after my graduation from Nantong University, I also did rotations at the Oshakati Hospital, which is a Western medicine hospital, and I have seen the difference between Chinese medicine and Western medicine. I think with their combination, the benefits are tremendous."

Hapulile and Wang treat 17 to 20 patients daily in the clinic, focusing on knee, lower back and shoulder pains, using various TCM therapies such as tuina.

"The results have been great and overwhelmingly positive. From my first year to the current period, we have seen an increase in the number of patients due to the benefits," he added.

The Namibian young man departed for China on Sunday to pursue a master's degree at Zhejiang Chinese Medical University in Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province.

"I want to use my acquired skills and expertise to help more patients because right now there are about only three specialized masters in the TCM including those at the Chinese clinic at Katutura Hospital," he said.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Windhoek.
(XHTV)