Just beyond the Nadi Hospital in Fiji, driving up a gentle slope, one will soon encounter a unique traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospital. Every day, patients seeking medical treatment arrive in a steady stream, not only local Fijians but also foreign friends who have traveled far and wide. "If anybody (has similar symptoms) like this, I will tell them to go and see the doctor in Nadi," said one patient who came from afar after personally experiencing the efficacy of acupuncture.
This is the South Pacific Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine founded by Cantonese man Tu Zhihui, the first and only higher education institution of medical science in the South Pacific Islands region. "Spreading TCM across the South Pacific island nations is the only mission in my life. I only hope to accomplish this for the rest of my life," Tu expressed his vision during an interview with GDToday.
"I wish my motherland a happy 75th birthday. With the prosperity and strength of our motherland, TCM can develop with high quality and speed in the South Pacific island nations, benefiting the people of the entire South Pacific region."
Sold personal assets to fill the gap in traditional Chinese medicine in Fiji
In the spring of 2015, Tu, who was born into a medical family and worked in a public hospital in Guangzhou after graduation, was invited to conduct a free clinic in Fiji, marking a significant turning point in his life.
Immersed in the vibrant tropical scenery and beautiful seascapes of Fiji, Tu keenly observed the scarce medical resources on this land and the deep longing of the people for a healthy life. "The patients here think that the effects of traditional Chinese medicine are very magical and really hope that doctors like me can stay," Tu recalled.
His early experience as the leader of the Guangzhou Youth Volunteer Association Medical Team cultivated Tu's habit of helping others and his courageous and responsible personality. "I feel that I have the mission to do this. Since no one else is doing it, let me do it," Tu said. So, he resolutely resigned from his stable job in China and went to Fiji alone.
The journey of his career was never a smooth and easy path. Initially, Tu set up a clinic in a humble small room. Then, the clinic moved from the small room to a suite and from one floor to an entire building.
At the same time, he actively communicated with local educational institutions and worked hard to apply for a license to operate a school, aiming to promote the popularization and development of higher education in TCM in Fiji. In 2017, the Fiji Higher Education Commission finally approved his application, allowing him to open the first college of TCM in the South Pacific islands.
Today, the simple consultation desk has transformed into a TCM institution with an area of over 10,000 square meters, combining the functions of a clinic and a school. Behind this step-by-step development, Tu has quietly sold many of his personal assets in China, investing a considerable amount of money.
Apart from funding, how to make the locals in this country, which knows little or nothing about TCM, recognize and accept it was another major challenge faced by Tu. To achieve this goal, Tu and his team conducted a series of free clinic activities, from government departments to local universities, and even deep into local churches and remote villages.
"Let Fijians no longer need to seek medical treatment overseas"
"The spread of TCM abroad relies on its efficacy. The most important thing is to treat patients well, using our efficacy and facts to prove the effectiveness of TCM," Tu has clear thoughts on the development of traditional Chinese medicine in the South Pacific region.
Currently, the Institute offers a variety of TCM therapies, such as acupuncture, tuina, and other physical therapies, as well as rehabilitation training and herbal medicine treatment. In 2023, the Institute received approval from Fiji's Ministry of Health and the Higher Education Commission, officially gaining the qualification to award bachelor's degrees. Now the Institute has initiated enrollment, aiming to cultivate more local students to better serve the people of Fiji.
Many patients travel long distances to seek treatment here, including foreign patients. They are usually referred by relatives and friends who have had successful treatment experiences with TCM therapies. "In the past, due to insufficient medical resources in Fiji, patients would go overseas to Australia or New Zealand for treatment. But now, because of TCM, many patients are coming back from abroad to seek treatment from us," Tu recalled the difficulties of developing TCM locally.
Sunita, a patient's family member from New Zealand, quickly recalled her uncle's successful recovery from post-stroke sequelae through TCM therapies at the Institute when her father accidentally fell, causing severe head trauma and inducing cerebral hemorrhage. With the consent of her father's attending physician, she decisively decided to send her father to the Institute for treatment. After just one session of treatment, her father's symptoms began to improve. "The pain did not spread any further, which is a positive sign. I look forward to the future results," said Sunita with hope.
The patient from the UK that impressed Tu the most had been unable to move his legs for 15 years, visiting numerous famous doctors but seeing no improvement in his condition. Doctors even suggested surgery, but the risks and uncertainties of the operation made him hesitant. However, after one acupuncture treatment, his legs responded, starting to regain some sensation and movement. Even though Tu has brought hope to countless patients, he was still deeply shocked when facing this case. "This is a very rare experience. Our TCM is truly amazing."
Hope to popularize TCM in every South Pacific Island nation
Looking ahead, Tu has clear goals and visions, namely, using Fiji as a foothold to gradually spread the culture of TCM to all South Pacific island nations. He plans to gradually optimize the teaching environment of the Institute, strengthen the faculty, and improve the overall quality of TCM education to cultivate more traditional Chinese medicine talents with a solid foundation and practical abilities.
At the same time, he will actively seek cooperation opportunities with domestic and foreign medical institutions and government departments to promote the organic integration of TCM with the local medical system so that TCM can gain more recognition and application internationally.
"In other South Pacific island nations, TCM is basically a blank space. We aim to popularize TCM in every South Pacific island nation," Tu said. He emphasized that they urgently hope for more specific projects to be implemented, such as jointly building hospital clinics, TCM centers, or jointly developing local herbal medicine resources, as well as jointly exploring the TCM market in the South Pacific island nations.
Reporter | Abby
Video | Leo, Zhang Di
Poster | Mia
Editor | Nan, James
