Strengthening TCM External Therapies under the China–Africa Hospital Alliance - African Centre of Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture & The People's Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of TCM

1 Feb 2026 | Johannesburg

The China–Africa Hospital Alliance was officially inaugurated at the China–Africa Hospital Development Conference, hosted by the International Exchange and Cooperation Centre of the National Health Commission of China in 2025 in Beijing. Health ministers from Gabon, Zambia, Cameroon, São Tomé and Príncipe, Mauritius, ambassadors of multiple African nations to China, and more than 300 hospital leaders and medical professionals gathered to mark a new phase of institutional cooperation between China and Africa.

Guided by the principles of consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefit, the Alliance seeks to integrate high-quality medical resources and establish a systematic and sustainable cooperation mechanism. It will convene annually to publish collaborative outcomes, facilitate academic exchange, and share hospital management experience, thereby strengthening long-term partnerships across continents.

Within this important framework, the African Centre of Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture has initiated a focused collaboration with the People's Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine to advance Traditional Chinese Medicine external therapies in Africa. This initiative reflects a shared commitment to expanding safe, effective, and culturally responsive integrative healthcare services.

The People’s Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of TCM is internationally recognised for its clinical excellence in acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, herbal external applications, and rehabilitative manual therapies. Its integrated hospital model combines classical TCM theory with modern clinical governance and quality assurance systems. Through structured training, mentorship exchanges, and hybrid teaching platforms, the partnership aims to strengthen African practitioner capacity in TCM external techniques that are particularly suitable for community-based and primary healthcare environments.

External therapies offer cost-effective, minimally invasive approaches for managing musculoskeletal disorders, chronic pain, women’s health conditions, and rehabilitation needs—areas of significant public health relevance across many African countries. By fostering competency development and encouraging systematic outcome documentation, the collaboration contributes not only to clinical service expansion but also to professional standardisation.

This initiative aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision of a prosperous and people-driven Africa, as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 on good health and well-being and Goal 17 on partnerships for sustainable development. Through mutual respect and long-term institutional cooperation, the collaboration aims to build resilient integrative healthcare systems that serve communities effectively and equitably.