STORY: TCM treatments gain recognition in Germany for effectiveness
SHOOTING TIME: Aug. 17, 2024/Recent footage
DATELINE: Aug. 19, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:37
LOCATION: Berlin
CATEGORY: MEDICINE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Bad Koetzting in southeastern Germany
2. various of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Koetzting Hospital
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): STEVEN HEGEL, German director of Koetzting Hospital
4. various of the hospital
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): DAI JINGZHANG, Counselor at Koetzting Hospital
6. various of the hospital
7. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): TANG MINKE, Executive vice president of Beijing University of Chinese medicine

STORYLINE:

In the picturesque town of Bad Koetzting in southeastern Germany stands the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Koetzting Hospital, the first traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospital in the country. Established 33 years ago, it remains the only TCM facility in Europe qualified to accept insurance payments and provide inpatient care.
   
Well-regarded across Europe, the hospital currently operates with 80 beds and treats over 1,000 patients annually. Most patients hail from various regions of Germany, but the hospital also attracts individuals from neighboring countries like Austria, Switzerland and Belgium.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): STEVEN HEGEL, German director of Koetzting Hospital
"It was a teacher who had two little children, and he had a cardiomyopathy, so it's a very weak heart muscle. He got weaker and weaker, and he was planned for transplantation. He already was on the transplantation list. A friend of mine, he knew him and said 'Couldn't we do something with TCM for him?' I asked our professor, a heart specialist for TCM. He said we can try, and he treated him with Chinese herbal medicine. He got better and better and better. And after one year, he could stop all his rest of the medication. He was completely cured. I'm now here since 33 years (ago), working here. I was so impressed about the effects of this, especially the herbal medicine and acupuncture, that I then decided to stay here for the whole time."

In addition to medical treatments, the hospital offers Taiji and Qigong classes, attracting over 1,200 participants in July alone.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): DAI JINGZHANG, Counselor at Koetzting Hospital
"All our patients take Chinese herbal medicine and receive acupuncture treatment. Some patients take Tuina remedial massage, and some receive Qigong therapy to improve their psychological and physical conditions."

From 2018 to 2023, the hospital successfully secured the "National International Cooperation Project in Traditional Chinese Medicine" for six consecutive years, marking a new phase in its development.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): TANG MINKE, Executive vice president of Beijing University of Chinese medicine
"The Koetzting Hospital attaches great importance to combining traditional medical science with modern science and technology. It cooperates with renowned universities in Germany and Austria to conduct quality research on TCM and also carries out international clinical cooperative research on major chronic diseases. The Koetzting Hospital has emerged as a very distinctive model hospital integrating traditional Chinese and Western medicine in Europe."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Berlin.
(XHTV)