Written by: Li Lao-Man
Translated by: Jeff Lu
Proofread by: Mindy Chen

Chinese medicine panel discussion was held at Room 220 on the afternoon of Sep. 14. The panel discussion was chaired by Dr. Chen Jian Zhong, the Director of Tzu Chi Taichung General Hospital; there were one hundred and sixty attendees.

Dr. Ye Ming Xian stated how Chinese Medicine plays its role in the free clinic services after disasters. He reinforced that because of frequent natural disasters, taking immediate actions to rescue lives in the disaster areas is a must. That’s why TIMA members should be aware of their roles when carrying out the free clinic services.

With special cases, Dr. He Yi Hui shared her experience of involving in the House Calls program. Both doctors, Dr. Ye and Dr. He, encouraged the TIMA attendees to take their health into consideration as the priority.

Brother Lin Wen Su, TIMA member of North America, presented an article “The investigation of super oxide anion and the yin-yang of Chinese medicine. “ Chinese medicine emphasizes yin and yang. He cited the teaching from an ancient Chinese medicine book: “purge excess and tonify deficiency.” What on earth are the excess and the deficiency? “According to the scientists, it’s super oxide anion.” said Brother Lin.

The Role of Tzu Chi Chinese Medicine in the Disaster Relief

Dr. Ye Ming Xian described how Chinese medicine played its role when the Wei-Guan building in Tainan collapsed during the earthquake in February. He said, “I walked around the area seven times and treated those who suffered from pain with acupuncture, Chinese massage and scrapping; in addition,the herbal soup was also prepared for the cold weather.”

Dr. Ye Ming Xian shared his experience of serving in a remote township, Dabu. For thirteen years, he has driven to Dabu and given free clinic services once a week in all weathers. He said with a smile, “The officers of the Central Health Insurance Bureau even came to the town five times to check my services because they wondered why I came to the remote town and claimed so much medical fee,” said Dr. Ye, “however, they appraised what I did finally.”

Every time when visiting Dabu, Dr. Ye carries out the missions including emergency rescue, outpatient clinic and home caring. The villagers are friendly to him and even as close as his family members. Thirteen years ago, some elder villagers were around seventy or eight; now they were around eighty or ninety years old. He humorously said, “Although they have not been completely healed, they have good hearts.”

Dr. Ye felt joyful about getting the chance to take care of the health of the senior volunteers living in Yunlin and Jiayi. From the beginning of the year to the end of July this year, they hold eighty-six free clinics for 1,552 volunteers devoting themselves to environmental protection. Sixteen TIMA members participated these activities.

Last year, Tzu Chi Da Lin General Hospital also made herbal ointment for TIMA attendees. Dr. Ye expressed that Chinese medicine is a Chinese traditional culture. Many things can be carried out. No matter Tzu Chi TIMA members are in the remote villages or in the disaster area, these physicians not only alleviate people’s pain in physical bodies but also heal grieving hearts.

Experience of House Calls

Dr. He Hui Zhong, serving in Tzu Chi Dalin General Hospital, is around fifty, but looks so young. She is often asked if she just graduated from school. She said, “If the sick cannot come to the hospital for treatment, I can do house calls. I feel fortunate to be able to help people in need.”

Dr. He shared a case of house calls from which she was benefited. She went to an elder female patient’s house to treat her. The elderly woman has stayed in bed for thirty years because of a traffic accident. However, Dr. He was amazed by the clean and tidy place when entering the small room, especially the bright polished pots. She said, “I was indeed inspired by her spirit.”

She encouraged a patient who has tongue cancer — without the habit of smoking, drinking or chewing beetle nuts — to accept surgery. After the surgery, Dr. He beefed up his physical body with Chinese medicine and encouraged him to practice qigong to boost his immune system. The patient was invited to the free clinic service several times. Dr. He told us that the purpose of inviting him to the free clinic is to make patients realize that if getting treatment in time, there’s a chance to get healed.

Dr. He encouraged the attendees to participate TIMA free clinic services. First, they can help others and themselves; secondly, they can treat others and themselves; thirdly, they can change others’ and their own lives.

Dr. He concluded her presentation by the teaching from a precious Chinese medical book (A great physician with outstanding knowledge and sincerity): “Great physicians always stay calm, peaceful and are not greedy. With compassion, they vow to free living beings from suffering. Regardless of danger, day or night, critical weathers, exhaustion of the physical body, hunger or thirst, they firmly head for saving lives without hesitation and ask for nothing— it’s the true great physician of all living beings!”