Traditional Chinese Medicine Expands Beyond South Africa into More African Countries

Johannesburg | 28 September 2025

On 27 September, Professor Zijing Hu, President of the African Association of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture led a team of acupuncture members to join forces with the 19th China Medical Team from Hubei Province in Lesotho. Together, they held a large-scale Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture free community service in Maseru, the capital of Lesotho. More than100 local patients received treatment, bringing much-needed health care to the community and injecting fresh momentum into the development of TCM in Africa and China-Africa health cooperation.

To ensure their participation, the Association team travelled more than 500 kilometers overnight on 26 September, demonstrating the spirit of medical dedication and resilience. At the community service, the Association collaborated with the China Medical Team to provide TCM consultations and acupuncture treatments, which were warmly received by the public and offered valuable support to the local healthcare system.

The event also created a meaningful learning opportunity for acupuncture students from the University of Johannesburg. By engaging directly with real patients and communities, the students gained invaluable clinical experience, exemplifying the model of “serving society while training talent.” This integration of education and practice supports the localisation and sustainable growth of TCM across Africa.

Notably, the International TCM Medical Centre of Sichuan Distinguished Experts contributed to the initiative by introducing the regionally distinctive Pestle Needle therapy, which received enthusiastic responses from the local population. In addition, Director Wu Hui, head of the China Medical Team in Lesotho, delivered a public lecture to undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Johannesburg, further strengthening the link between TCM education and international medical cooperation.

This free community service marks the Association’s second joint outreach initiative in 2025, following its first in July. The Association has also established branches in Gabon and Angola, signalling that TCM is steadily expanding beyond South Africa into more African countries and evolving into a networked and sustainable model of development.

The spread of TCM in Africa not only enriches local healthcare options and improves public health outcomes but also serves as a bridge of mutual understanding between China and Africa. This cross-border collaboration highlights the unique contribution of Chinese wisdom to global health governance and stands as a vivid example of building both the China-Africa Community of Shared Future and the Global Community of Health for All.

Looking ahead, as TCM takes deeper root across Africa, cooperation between China and African nations in healthcare, education, and scientific research will continue to expand, opening a new chapter in the Health Silk Road.